Video: Evolution of the Moon

From year to year, the moon never seems to change. Craters and other formations appear to be permanent now, but the moon didn’t always look like this. Thanks to NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, we now have a better look at some of the moon’s history.

The “Giant Impact Hypothesis” is still considered to be the best explanation for how the moon came into being. The current experiments and modeling efforts predominantly use the giant impact hypothesis as the basis of their studies.

Approximately 4.5 billion years ago, a collision of the early Earth with a Mars-sized object resulted in the formation of the Earth/Moon system. This model provides answers to the reasons behind the Earth/Moon high-spin system, the low density of the Moon, and lunar composition.

This video is public domain and can be downloaded at: http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/goto?10930

Posted by: Soderman/NLSI Staff
Source: NASA