Supercomputer simulations could unlock mystery of Moon’s formation
We’re using supercomputer simulations to see how the Moon might have formed following a huge collision involving the early Earth 4.5 billion years ago.
Durham is home to some of the world’s leading space scientists and most powerful supercomputer technology.
Our astronomers have used this combined knowledge and tech to investigate how the Moon might have been created.
Solar system
In their computer simulations, they crashed a Mars-sized ancient planet called Theia – which is believed to have existed in our solar system – into the early Earth.
They got different outcomes depending upon the size and direction of the spin given to Theia, including no spin at all.
At one extreme, the collision merged the two objects together while at the other there was a grazing hit-and-run impact.
Importantly, when no spin was added to Theia the collision produced a self-gravitating clump of material with a mass of about 80 per cent of the Moon. Another Moon-like object was created when a small amount of spin was added.
Potential Moon
Our researchers say this clump, which in the simulations is seen settling into an orbit around the post-impact Earth, would grow by sweeping up the disc of debris surrounding our planet.
The clump also has a small iron core, similar to that of the Moon, with an outer layer of materials made from the early Earth and Theia.
Our researchers are careful to say that this isn’t definitive proof of the Moon’s origin, but add that it’s a very interesting place to continue looking.
They plan to run further simulations altering the mass, speed and spinning rate of both the early Earth and Theia to see what effect this has on the formation of a potential Moon.
