Moon Day

1989/05/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronomia

Knowing the origin of the Moon is one of those constant debates of astronomers. The computer simulation that has developed in recent times has shown that the Moon was formed after an object hit the Earth. The object was the size of Mars and the event occurred 4.4 billion years ago.

The iron core of the object joined the Earth and the silicate remains that formed were collected to form the Moon.

The shock simulation was conducted by researchers from the University of New Mexico, Horton Newson, and Camberra University, Stuart Ross Taylor. According to their data, the solid core and the mantle of the object were separated if the shock speed was greater than 5 km/s.

The models published so far did not show the angle of rotation of the Moon, the angular moment of the system or the low density of the Moon. The model explains that the Moon has less iron metal minerals than the inner planets of the solar system.