Theories Origin of Earth and Moon Gallaudet 理论渊源地球和月亮加拉德特.pptVIP

Theories:Origin of Earth and Moon Scientists look for Evidence and an Explanation Facts - Evidence Searching for an explanation Earth has a iron core Moon rocks do not have iron Earth’s average density is 5.5 grams/cm Moon’s average density is 3.3 grams/cm Earth has a specific isotope of oxygen Moon has the same unique isotope of oxygen Earth has a large Moon compared to it’s size Theory #1Accretion Theory The moon is a sister world that formed in orbit around Earth at the same time as the Earth formed. Pros We know there was plenty of material to clump together (accrete) Theory #2Moon Capture Theory Moon was somewhere in space, and was captured into orbit around Earth Pros Explains why Moon has no iron (it came from somewhere else) Theory #3Fission Early Earth spun so fast that it spun off the moon Pros Explains why the Moon has no iron - it came from just Earth’s mantle. The Moon’s density is similar to the Earth’s outer layers. Theory #4 Giant Impact Hypothesis A very large body crashed into the Earth. Debris from the impact made a moon. Pros A collision is possible Explains the lack of iron core on the Moon Explains why both have the same isotope of oxygen (Moon rocks came from Earth) Computer models - show physics is possible Explains why Earth axis is tilted! The limit around a body where gravity will rip apart another body. If a body gets too close to the Roche limit it will break up. Outside the Roche limit debris tends to clump together. Moon A quiet landscape awaits! Credits “The Formation of the Moon”, Dept of Astronomy, Case Western Reserve, February 22, 2006 /.../SolarSys/lunaform.html Hartmann, William K. and Davis, Donald, “Origin of the Moon”, Planetary Science Institute, February 22, 2006 /projects/moon/moon.html Wikipedia, “Roche limit”, Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., February 20, 2006, February 22, 2006 /wiki/Roche_limit * * Cons Why doesn’t the Moon have iron like Earth has? Why no other large moons aroun