Earth may once have had two moons

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This new theory builds on the idea that around four billion years ago the Earth was struck by a Mars-like planet, but instead of the smash producing enough debris for one moon, this paper argues there was enough for two.

This small second moon become stuck in a gravitational tug of war between the Earth and its much larger sibling.

After millions of years in this position the new moon was drawn into a collision at a speed of less than three kilometres per second.

The scientists say this slow paced crash may have caused a build up of material and the formation of highlands on the Moon's far side.

For decades scientists have been trying to understand why the visible near side of the Moon is covered in craters while the far side has mountain ranges higher than 3,000 metres.

The researchers hope that Nasa observational missions might prove this new theory within a year.

Matt McGrath, BBC News


Vocabulary

struck by
hit by

smash
violent collision


debris
rubble


paper
scientific essay


stuck
fixed

gravitational tug of war
pull in opposite directions by the force of gravity


sibling
brother or sister

slow paced
moving at low speed


far side
face of the Moon that can't be seen from the Earth


craters
big holes on the surface