Moon was potentially formed through the collision of two planets - Android

Drawing from astronomers’ belief in the “Big Splash” theory or “giant impact hypothesis,” a computer simulation is generated which seeks to demonstrate how the moon had potentially formed through the collision of a planet, the size of Mars, with that of Earth. In the theory, it is believed that a wandering planet called Theia, roughly […]

This article, Moon was potentially formed through the collision of two planets, was originally published at NoypiGeeks | Philippines Technology News, Reviews and How to's.

Drawing from astronomers’ belief in the “Big Splash” theory or “giant impact hypothesis,” a computer simulation is generated which seeks to demonstrate how the moon had potentially formed through the collision of a planet, the size of Mars, with that of Earth.

In the theory, it is believed that a wandering planet called Theia, roughly the size of our home planet, collided with Earth, subsequently creating a ring of debris, covering the latter and later clumping together to form the Moon.

The event was estimated to have taken place 4.5 billion years ago or 150 million years after the Solar System was formed.

See also: Astronomers say the Earth is heading towards a black hole

Running from the DiRAC High-Performance Computing facility, the simulation shows multiple iterations of what could be probable scenarios in how the cosmic event took place, each of which produces different results.

While scientists in general do not agree on how the Moon formed exactly, they nonetheless believe that its creation was as a result of an impact between Earth and another planet.

Sources: New Scientist, Science Mag

This article, Moon was potentially formed through the collision of two planets, was originally published at NoypiGeeks | Philippines Technology News, Reviews and How to's.