The scientists claimed that they have finally found evidence suggesting that the Moon was formed during a collision billions of years ago. Currently the scientists say, a layer of iron and other materials inside the Earth is proof that the Moon formed from the remnants of a collision.
When the Earth were formed at 4.5 billion years ago, scientists believe that the Moon was formed a few years later, ie, after a similar Mars-sized object slammed into Earth, then still young.
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| Scientists believe the moon formed millions of years after proto-Earth first formed, when an object the size of Mars smashed into the young planet (illustrated). Now simulations to recreate the stratified layers deep within the planet have added weight to the theory. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eO79Y) |
The hypothesis of a massive collision was mentioned, that a protoplanetary (planet-sized Moon) called Theia crashed into the Earth billions of years ago. And from these collisions resulted in a number of debris removed from the core, and Theia join and become part of the Earth. Meanwhile, the Moon formed from the debris leftover collision.
By using seismic data from the Earth's core and mantle, the researchers at Johns Hopkins University revealed that a layer of iron, silicon, oxygen, and other elements that have a thickness of hundreds of kilometers.
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| Researchers used seismic data of the Earth's interior, revealing a layer of iron, silicon, oxygen and other elements hundreds of kilometres thick above the core. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eO79Y) |
In a simulation in the laboratory revealed that after the massive collision, a mix between the object and the Earth's core will leave traces in the form of stratified layers, as seen near the Earth's core today.
"We say that the stratified layers is valid evidence," said Professor Peter Olson, an Earth and Planetary Science researcher at Johns Hopkins as quoted by the Daily Mail on Wednesday, September 28, 2016.
To prove this hypothesis, the researcher group conducted the simulated mix with fluid, to create turbulent mixing residing on the Earth in ancient times. The researchers used a liquid layer that can not be mixed, namely oil and water, to represent the Earth's mantle and core. They dropped saline or ethanol into the tank more than 60 times, to simulate the collision and monitor the next mixing happens.
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| According to the giant impact hypothesis, the collision 4.5 billion years ago would have caused a huge amount of debris to be ejected from the core, with Theia fusing and becoming part of the Earth and the moon (pictured) forming from the debris. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eO79Y) |
From these experiments it is known, more greater the density and volume of fluid dropped into the tank, then the mixing will occur much more. When compared with the initial collision event, if there is an object large enough to hit the Earth, then the entire core will be a mixture materials.
Whereas, if an object is equal to or smaller size of Mars slammed into Earth (like Theia), then the mixing will produce a layer that is like on the inside of the Earth at this time.
It turns out there is another theory about the birth of the Moon presented a number of researchers in the discussion of the Royal Society. Namely, the Moon is a 'gift' from Venus or Earth may 'steal' it from Venus. Planet Venus first alleged had Moon, but then lost. The natural satellite was then caught on the Earth's gravity.
"I think part of the key to understanding the Moon is probably the fact that Venus has no satellites. Surely we should learn more about Venus," said Dave Stevenson, a professor of planetary science of Caltech University.
As a guide, the Earth has one moon, Uranus has 27, Saturn and even more than 50, but Venus did not have at all. The theory of "catch the Moon" assumes the Earth using its gravitational force to pull the celestial bodies into the orbit.
But this theory is easily broken. Moreover proven, geochemical composition of the Moon and Earth are similar. Of the analysis of Moon rocks brought by the Apollo-NASA missions has shown that the Moon has the isotopic composition is very similar to the Earth.
And if the Moon and Earth had identical isotopic, then the theory of 'catch-Moon' difficult to sustain. According to Alex Halliday of Oxford University. The similarity of isotope shows that the Moon and the Earth formed from the same materials.
"However, the new theory was interesting. One reason, the Earth and Venus are close to each other. They have the same mass, and people will think they may have formed in the same way," added Alex Halliday.
"So, the question is, if the Earth and Venus formed in the same way, why the Earth has the Moon and Venus are not?" *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILYMAIL]
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