Transcript Origins of the Moon

Origins of the Moon
Origin of the Moon
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There were three theories about the moon’s
origin prior to the data from the Apollo space
missions.
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The moon was captured by Earth’s gravity.
The moon condensed from loose material
surrounding Earth during the early formation of
the solar system.
A blob of molten material was ejected from Earth
while Earth was still in its early molten stage.
Collision Ring Theory
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A
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This theory says that the moon was formed about
4.6 billion years ago when a Mars-sized object
collided with Earth.
B
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The heat & pressure of the blast melted part of
the Earth’s mantle & the other object. Materials
from both objects were ejected into space,
including molten iron from the core of the other
object.
Impact Theory (Continued)
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C
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D
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The debris began to orbit Earth. Some of the
material fell back on Earth.
The remaining material in orbit formed a ring of
hot dust & gas around Earth. This began to occur
only a few hours after the impact.
E
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Within about 100 years, particles from the ring
began to join together, which eventually formed
the moon.
Impact Theory (Pictures)
Half an hour after
the impact
 This is the molten
object hitting the
Earth
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Impact Theory (Pictures)
Five hours after the
impact.
 The molten material
is leaving the Earth
 Believed it was
Mars-sized (a third
size of the Earth)
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Impact Theory (Pictures)
This is the current
status of the moon
forming out of rings
 Some believed that
the impact would
not form a moon
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Impact Theory (Pictures)
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Studies of lunar rocks
show that the moon
originally had a
molten surface.
As this so-called
magma ocean cooled,
intense volcanism
continued for about
900 million years
Impact Theory (Pictures)
This is the moon
today
 This picture states
that the moon has
been created for
about 3 billion years
 Volcanism has
ended
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