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Artwork of the young Earth-Moon system. The Earth had recently formed when it was struck by a protoplanet called Theia roughly three times the size of Mars. Debris from the impact went into orbit, while the cores of the two planets merged. Within weeks of the event, the debris formed a Saturn-like ring around the Earth. Later collisions in this ring led to the formation of the Moon, probably within just a few thousand years. Initially the Earth and Moon were much closer together than they are now, and spinning more quickly.

Moon mystery could be solved by simulation of planetary smash-up

11 March 2022

The moon is thought to have been created in a violent collision, and a new simulation of the event could answer questions that have puzzled astrophysicists
moon surface

Antony Gormley’s virtual reality adventure lets you ski on the moon

27 March 2019

Best known for his figures celebrating the human form, Antony Gormley’s latest endeavour is an epic virtual reality project letting you fly through space

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