2016/11/08 by Bryant Wyatt, Wyatt, Bryant M., Jonathan M. Petz +17
Physics and Astronomy · #85-04 #Astro and Planetary Science #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP) #FOS: Physical sciences #J.2 #Planetary Science and Exploration #Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1611.02769
openalex publication_date 2016/11/08 · openalex created_date 2022/10/01 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The giant impact hypothesis is the dominant theory explaining the formation\nof our Moon. However, its inability to produce an isotopically similar\nEarth-Moon system with correct angular momentum has cast a shadow on its\nvalidity. Computer-generated impacts have been successful in producing virtual\nsystems that possess many of the physical properties we observe. Yet,\naddressing the isotopic similarities between the Earth and Moon coupled with\ncorrect angular momentum has proven to be challenging. Equilibration and\nevection resonance have been put forth as a means of reconciling the models.\nHowever, both were rejected in a meeting at The Royal Society in London. The\nmain concern was that models were multi-staged and too complex. Here, we\npresent initial impact conditions that produce an Earth-Moon system whose\nangular momentum and isotopic properties are correct. The model is\nstraightforward and the results are a natural consequence of the impact.\n