How did our moon form?
Smooth on near side
Rough mountains on the dark side.
The formation of the Moon is a fascinating topic in planetary science. The leading theory for the Moon's formation is the Giant Impact Hypothesis.
The Giant Impact: About 4.5 billion years ago, a Mars-sized object called "Theia" collided with the early Earth in a cataclysmic impact. The energy from this collision was so immense that it liquefied both Theia and the outer layers of the Earth.
Moon Formation: Debris from the collision was ejected into space and began to orbit the Earth. Over time, this debris coalesced and formed the Moon. It was initially a molten, hot body.
Differences in Surface: The differences in the Moon's surface between the near side and the far side are due to variations in the cooling and solidification process. The near side, which faces Earth, cooled more slowly, allowing large, solidified pools of lava to form. These are the smooth plains known as maria.
The Dark Side: The far side of the Moon, often mistakenly called the "dark side" (it gets sunlight just like the near side), cooled more quickly and has more rugged, mountainous terrain. This is why there's a noticeable contrast in surface features.
This formation process explains the Moon's surface has these distinct characteristics, with smoother plains on the near side and rougher, mountainous areas on the far side. It's a reminder of the dynamic history and evolution of our celestial neighbor.