• Question: is this true the planet thea clashed with earth and then made the moon

    Asked by riob88 to Davie, Gemma, James P, James V, Nuala on 2 Jul 2012.
    • Photo: James Verdon

      James Verdon answered on 2 Jul 2012:

      Hi riob,

      It’s true, many scientists believe that the moon was created when a ‘proto-planet’, about the size of Mars, crashed into earth during the early stages of its formation. The mini planet partially exploded, but part of it was deflected into orbit around us, which became the moon. Some people have given the name Theia to the proto-planet that crashed into us.

    • Photo: James Pope

      James Pope answered on 2 Jul 2012:

      Hi riob88,

      That is the most likely reason for the existence of the Moon, which has a similar chemical composition (make up) to that of the molten regions of the Earth. The impact was probably from a rouge planetoid, which hadn’t achieved an orbit to become a planet. Thankfully the impact was early enough for the Earth to survive as it was also still molton. !

    • Photo: Nuala Carson

      Nuala Carson answered on 4 Jul 2012:

      Hey riob88,

      i didnt know how the moon was created (or how we think it was anyway) so i have learnt something from this question!

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