Origin of moons

[vekotin]

Scientist seem to agree that our moon was born in a collision with an unknown object. Why are there then moons around the other planets in our solar system ? Do scientists have any idea whether they were born in the same way ? If so, then a really massive object must have traversed our solar system at a high speed, tearing off pieces from several planets due to its gravity.<br />If an expert reads this, please answer.

 

[mooware]

<b>If so, then a really massive object must have traversed our solar system at a high speed, tearing off pieces from several planets due to its gravity</b><br /><br />not necessarily. There was lots and lots of debris in the early solar system, large asteroids, chunks from previous collisions. Lots of material floating around

 

[willpittenger]

BTW: Jupiter is a mini solar system of its own -- with a planet in place of the sun and moons where you would expect planets. You will note that the density of the Galilean moons increases as you move towards Jupiter. Clearly, those moons grew more or less where they are. As Jupiter's gravity well formed, the heavier material moved down that well. The same thing appears to have happened with the planets. You will notice the planets are more or less sorted by density. The rocky (dense) planets are in the center with Mercury (really dense) at the center of that. As you move out, you find great balls of little more than gas. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Will Pittenger<hr style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em" />Add this user box to your Wikipedia User Page to show your support for the SDC forums: <div style="margin-left:1em">{{User:Will Pittenger/User Boxes/Space.com Account}}</div> </div>