Earth once had two moons, say scientists
EARTH may once have had two moons: the one that shines at night today and a smaller companion, according to a new theory.
A collision between the two is believed to have created the mountainous highlands on the Moon's far side that have long puzzled scientists. The side of the Moon facing the Earth and the side facing away have strikingly different topographies.
The new US theory builds on the "giant impact" model that explains the Moon's creation.
Many experts believe a Mars-sized object collided with the Earth early in the solar system's history, ejecting debris that was later drawn together by gravity to form the Moon.
The "second" moon is also thought to have been generated by the impact. The two moons collided relatively slowly, according to the theory described today in the journal Nature.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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