Posted on 02/04/2016 10:21:30 AM PST by Smittie
A new theory says Earth is made of two planets, rather than just one. Apparently, our planet is the result of a collision that helped map the course of both Earth as we know it and the moon.
According to new research from the University of California, Earth and a hypothesized early planet called Theia collided, and the two planets fused together 4.5 billion years ago. That impact also formed our moon, Science Alert explains.
The initial working theory was that the Earth and Theia only side-swiped each other, sending the moon into orbit and then flying away into space. But this new research says that Theia never left Earth and instead, it helped shape up our planet.
Scientists studied oxygen isotopes from moon rocks from the Apollo missions and volcanic rocks from Earthâs mantle. Since each planet has a particular oxygen signature when it comes to oxygen contents, they would be able to see differences between lunar soil and Earth rocks.
If Theia simply swiped Earth, then the moon would be made mostly of Theia, and the Earth and moon rocks would have different oxygen isotopes. However, the researchers found they have the same isotopes.
âWe donât see any difference between Earthâs and the Moonâs oxygen isotopes; theyâre indistinguishable,â researcher Edward Young said.
âTheia was thoroughly mixed into both the Earth and the moon, and evenly dispersed between them. This explains why we donât see a different signature of Theia in the Moon versus Earth.â
The researcher also explained thereâs evidence that Theia was a growing planet, still evolving at the time of the impact. The planet was similar in size to either Earth or Mars.
If confirmed, the research will help us better understand the origins and history of our planet. You know, as long as you believe Earth is a spheroid planet, and not a flat surface floating in space.
Scientists Propose Radical New Theory That Moon is Actually Composed of Verdant Casein and Whey.
The Sumerians, in a 6000 year old text, thought that a planet called Tiamat collided with the satellites of Nibiru to form the Earth and moon
It all sounds very Theiaretic to me.
You mean the “science isn’t settled”?
One left and one right ?
I believe the moon is mostly basalt.
Since both agreed not to report it to their insurance company, there is no documentation to prove that's what happened.
The FR Pun Police have rendered a verdict. Turn in yer mouse.
I vaguely remember seeing it. But do remember it being pretty good. About a reverse image duplicate of the earth on the opposite side of the sun.
Might be worth adding to my sifi collection.
Listening to some liberals, I think this theory may be right. They clearly don’t live in the same world we do.
New theory? This theory is at least 20 years old.
With their somewhat limited intellect they must have extrapolated that from the star charts adorning the walls of the alien spacecraft that visited them regularly.
Maybe we are the rocky remains of a gas giant that had its atmosphere burnt away by some solar event.
>Why then are the earth and moon both round?
Gravity makes things spherical.
I just knew there was something about my ex-wife
Well, liberals often occupy a separate reality, why not a different planet?
Thank you for that explanation. This answers the question perfectly!
This isn’t a new theory.
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