The Formation of the Tilt of the Moon

STATES CHRONICLE – Astronomers have closely analyzed the formation of the tilt of the moon, and they reached the conclusion that this mysterious slant present in the orbit of our natural satellite might be caused by a vaporization process. Planet Earth together with other planets of the solar system is revolving around the sun. The particular area is determined by the equator of the sun.

This hypothesis is most likely to be true because these celestial objects are generated by the immense mass of dust and gas which encircles the sun. Compared to Terra’s orbit around the sun, the orbit of the Moon is inclined by almost five degrees. Scientists have recently managed to establish a connection between the tilt of the moon and its process of formation.

Other studies which were conducted in the past had suggested that during the planet formation process, our planet had clipped a massive rock called Theia. The wreckage which remained after the impact has later formed our satellite. This hypothesis was considered an accurate one since it was able to explain the massiveness of the moon compared to Terra and the orbiting variations of both celestial objects.

Back in 2001, astronomers had revealed that lunar earth had a lot in common with the composition of the terrestrial surface. Various versions of isotopes were present both in the composition of moon’s and Terra’s rocks.  Other previous researches have proved that planets which developed in distinct areas of our solar system had distinctive structures.

The discovery of the isotopic composition of Earth which is so similar to that of the moon had cast a shadow upon this hypothesis. This happened because previous studies demonstrated that the simulations of the collided objects proved that almost 80% of the material which formed the moon was produced by Theia, not by Earth.

Astronomers have thought that it is very unlikely for Theia to display the same isotopic composition as our planet. The latest updates to the impact hypothesis had argued that a massive impact developed the moon. The violent hit had determined Theia’s vanishing, also clipping parts of Terra. After this vaporization process had taken place, an extraordinary cloud of dust which was five hundred times bigger than Earth had engulfed our planet.

It is possible that parts and materials from that dust cloud had entered into our atmosphere and cooled down on Terra’s surface. Researchers asserted that detritus were remaining after the collision had gathered together to develop the moon. This represents evidence for the similar isotopic composition of both moon and Earth.

Image source: flickr