Early thermal evolution and planetary differentiation of the Moon: A giant impact perspective

The Moon‐Forming Impact and the Autotrophic Origin of Life

“…In the standard model, the Earth formed by accretion of smaller bodies and planetesimals over 4.5 billion years ago (Ga), during a relatively short period of time after the formation of the solar system, accompanied by differentiation: the partitioning of siderophile (iron‐loving) elements into the core and lithophile (rock‐loving) elements into the silicate mantle [3–4] . The most widely accepted hypothesis for Moon formation is the giant impact hypothesis (Figure 1), which posits that the Moon formed by the collision of a giant Mars‐sized impactor named Theia with the proto‐Earth [5–7] . This occurred shortly after the formation of the solar system, the impact event dating to roughly 4.50 Ga [8] or perhaps as late as 4.35 Ga according to newer findings [9] .…”

“…[ 3 – 4 ] The most widely accepted hypothesis for Moon formation is the giant impact hypothesis ( Figure 1 ), which posits that the Moon formed by the collision of a giant Mars-sized impactor named Theia with the proto-Earth. [ 5 – 7 ] This occurred shortly after the formation of the solar system, the impact event dating to roughly 4.50 Ga [ 8 ] or perhaps as late as 4.35 Ga according to newer findings. [ 9 ] The energy released at impact melted the Earth’s mantle into a magma ocean.…”