Where Did the Moon Come From?

SciShow Kids4 minutes read

The Earth and Moon are both around four and a half billion years old, with the Moon believed to have formed from a collision with a planet the size of Mars. The Moon lacks life and water, covered in craters from ancient impacts, making it a subject of study for scientists and astronomers orbiting 400,000 kilometers away from Earth.

Insights

  • The Earth and the Moon are believed to have formed around the same time, with the Moon originating from a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized planet, leading to the creation of the Moon from rocks ejected into space.
  • The Moon lacks life forms or water, covered in craters from asteroid impacts, and orbits Earth from a distance of over 400,000 kilometers, making it a valuable object of study for scientists interested in understanding the history of our solar system.

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Recent questions

  • How old is the Earth and Moon?

    Approximately four and a half billion years old.

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Summary

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"The Moon: Earth's Ancient Rocky Companion"

  • The Earth and the Moon are approximately four and a half billion years old, forming around the same time, with the Earth being slightly older. Scientists believe the Moon was created from a massive collision between Earth and a planet the size of Mars, launching rocks into space that eventually formed the Moon.
  • During the Moon's formation, Earth lacked animals, plants, or liquid water, resembling a rocky landscape with active volcanoes. The Moon, like Earth, has rocks similar to those found on our planet, suggesting it was formed from Earth rocks ejected into space during the collision.
  • The Moon, smaller than Earth and lacking breathable air or oceans, is covered in craters from ancient asteroid impacts. Positioned over 400,000 kilometers away from Earth, it orbits our planet and serves as a fascinating celestial body for astronomers and scientists to study.
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