Study suggests Moon formed after Earth`s collision with planet-sized body

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Scientists have found that Moon was formed after Earth collided with a celestial object some 4.5 billion years ago. The planet-sized body with which the earth is believed to have collided is named as Theia. German scientists compared the ratios of 17O/16O in lunar samples, brought home by Apollo mission astronauts with those from Earth and found that significant differences in the ratios of oxygen isotopes in moon and Earth rocks. Most models estimate that the Moon is composed of around 70 percent to 90 percent material from Theia, with the remaining 10 percent to 30 percent coming from the early Earth. However, some models argue for as little as 8 percent Theia in the Moon. But, as per the new study, researchers now say the moon could be a 50/50 mixture of Earth and Theia remnants, though more study is needed to confirm. The study has been published in the journal Science. (With Agencies inputs)