Did Earth Create the Moon? Research Uncovers Clues About Lunar Formation
A recent investigation into the moon’s formation and Earth’s water origin has provided compelling insights. Researchers from the University of Göttingen and the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) conducted analyses on lunar and terrestrial samples, revealing that the moon was likely formed predominantly from Earth’s mantle material. This challenges the long-held theory that the protoplanet Theia contributed significantly to the moon’s composition. The findings also shed light on Earth’s early water acquisition, suggesting a re-evaluation of existing assumptions.
New Findings on Moon’s Formation
According to the study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, oxygen isotopes from 14 lunar samples and 191 terrestrial measurements were examined using laser fluorination. The study observed a close isotopic resemblance between oxygen-17 isotopes from both the moon and Earth. This finding contradicts prior theories attributing the moon’s composition to a major contribution from Theia, the protoplanet believed to have collided with Earth billions of years ago.
Professor Andreas Pack, Managing Director of the Geoscience Centre at the University of Göttingen, explained to phys.org that Theia’s earlier collisions might have stripped it of its mantle. The collision with Earth could have occurred as a “metallic cannonball,” leading to the moon’s formation from ejected mantle material.
Implications for Earth’s Water History
The data has also prompted new discussions about the origin of Earth’s water. As per reports, the widely accepted Late Veneer Event theory—suggesting water arrived after the moon’s formation through subsequent impacts—is being questioned. First author Meike Fischer, formerly at MPS, stated in reports that the isotopic consistency between Earth and the moon rules out many meteorite types as the source of water. Enstatite chondrites, a class of meteorites with isotopic similarity to Earth and sufficient water content, are suggested as the likely contributors to Earth’s water.
These findings provide critical insights into the intertwined histories of Earth’s development and the moon’s formation, advancing understanding of planetary evolution.
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A volcanic fissure has emerged near Grindavík on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula after a series of strong earthquakes. Lava has breached the town’s defence barriers. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) has warned that the fissure may continue to expand. The eruption began along the Sundhnúkur crater row early in the morning. By 9:45 a.m. local time, a fissure stretching nearly 1,200 metres had opened north of Grindavík. The crack is moving southward. Officials have raised the hazard level to the highest risk category.
Evacuations and Road Closures
According to the IMO, a second fissure has appeared inside Grindavík’s protective barriers. Authorities have evacuated the town along with the Blue Lagoon spa. Roads in and out of the area have been shut. Some residents have refused to leave. Local media outlet Visir has reported that emergency services remain on high alert.
Impact of Volcanic Gas
Weather forecasts indicate that volcanic gas will be carried northeastward towards Reykjavík. The capital is located about 40 kilometres away. The IMO has stated that by tomorrow morning, changing wind patterns may direct the gas southwest and eastward. Residents have been told to remain indoors as much as possible while closely monitoring air quality updates. Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced about 11 eruptions since 2021. Eight have occurred along the Sundhnúkur crater row since last year. Scientists continue to monitor the situation closely. Authorities have urged people to avoid the affected region.
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Astronomers have released new images of planets within the HR 8799 and 51 Eridani star systems. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was used in a way that was different from standard procedures to achieve these results. Capturing direct images of exoplanets is challenging due to the brightness of host stars, which often obscures planetary details. To allow more light through, researchers adjusted JWST’s coronagraphs. This helps in enhancing the visibility of these distant worlds. This adjustment provided clearer insights into planetary atmospheres and their compositions.
Unconventional Use of JWST’s Coronagraphs
According to a study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, lead author William Balmer, a Ph.D. candidate at Johns Hopkins University, explained to Space.com that a thinner part of the coronagraph mask was used. This allowed more starlight to diffract, reducing the risk of completely obscuring planets. Coronagraphs typically block starlight to reveal faint celestial bodies, but this modification provided a balance between removing excessive glare and preserving planetary details.
Key Discoveries and Observations
The JWST’s mid-infrared imaging captured HR 8799 at 4.6 microns. It is a wavelength that is mainly blocked by Earth’s atmosphere. Balmer stated that previous ground-based attempts had failed, demonstrating JWST’s stability in detecting exoplanets. Observations at 4.3 microns were also conducted. This revealed the presence of carbon dioxide. It is a very important step in determining the planetary formation processes. The detected carbon dioxide levels suggested that these planets likely formed through core accretion, gathering heavy elements over time.
Future Research and Expanding Studies
There are many research planned to study the four additional planetary systems. Balmer’s team has been allocated more JWST observation time to confirm whether similar gas giants formed through core accretion. This could offer more insights into the stability of planetary systems and potential habitability of smaller, unseen planets.
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