Our Moon has much to be studied about since it might hold the key to which the solar system was formed. Astronomers continue to study it because of that. One evidence about how it was formed might be seen on how it orbits the Earth. A new model explains the strange orbit of the Moon.
The Moon's orbit is quite far from the Earth, for one. In comparison to the other satellites of the planets in the solar system, the Moon is at a distance from the Earth. It also revolves the Earth at a tilt. Astronomers are trying to find answers as to why the Moon has such an orbit.
A new research states that at the time of its formation, the Earth has been hit by an impact that also formed the Moon. The impact has caused the Earth to spin much faster and to rotate at a much steeper tilt than it does today. Gradually the interaction between the Earth and the Moon began to correct this, which has resulted in the situation the Earth and Moon have today.
"Evidence suggests a giant impact blasted off a huge amount of material that formed the Moon," said Douglas Hamilton, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Maryland. He is also the co-author of the paper. The impact formed a ring of debris around the planet that gradually came together and formed the Moon. He added that this would not have happened though if the Earth had the angle of tilt it has today.
The Moon's orbit is strange as it is tilted five degrees away from the Earth's ecliptic plane, the University of Maryland's site states. Lead author Matija Cuk of the SETI Institute tried various simulations as to how this tilt came about. Assisting them are Simon Lock from Harvard University and Sarah Stewart from the University of California Davis. The best scenario that could explain all this is the impact theory.
The model they have made shows that the Moon initially was much closer to the Earth, but tidal forces from both gradually pushed the Moon to its present orbit. The Sun also began to have more influence on its orbit as it went to its present location, according to Science Daily. The Moon's tilt is said to be a relic of a much steeper tilt it had in the past, as observed by Cuk.
A new model has been made that explains the strange orbit of the Moon. This new model aims to explain more on how the solar system started. A study has also been made on the large impact craters on the Moon, as it has been reported earlier.
