Planetary collision that formed the Moon made life possible on Earth

In summary, a recent study suggests that the excess Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur in the Earth's crust may have been brought by a planetary collision with the moon. The study involved running a billion scenarios and comparing them to the current conditions in the solar system. This idea is reminiscent of Velikovsky's theory, which proposed electrostatic forces rather than gravity as the cause of celestial events.
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Finding the answer involved varying the starting conditions, running approximately 1 billion scenarios and comparing them against the known conditions in the solar system today.
That is some kind of study - a billion scenarios.
I have often thought that the moon - er rather the collision that resulted in the Earth - has had a role to play.
 
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Shades of Velikovsky ?
 
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256bits said:
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That is some kind of study - a billion scenarios.
I have often thought that the moon - er rather the collision that resulted in the Earth - has had a role to play.

A billion scenarios can be calculated with a supercomputer within a couple of days at most ! A clever algorithm can reduce that calculating time by orders of magnitude !
 
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Shades of Velikovsky would invoke electrostatic forces rather than plain old Keplerian orbital evolution. He didn't "believe" in gravity.
 

1. How did the planetary collision that formed the Moon make life possible on Earth?

The collision between Earth and a Mars-sized object, often referred to as Theia, is believed to have occurred around 4.5 billion years ago. This collision caused debris from both objects to be ejected into space, eventually coalescing to form the Moon. The presence of the Moon has had a significant impact on Earth's evolution, stabilizing its rotation and creating tides that have played a crucial role in the development of life.

2. What evidence supports the theory that the Moon was formed from a planetary collision?

Scientists have gathered evidence from various sources, including lunar rocks and computer simulations, to support the theory of a planetary collision. Lunar rocks have been found to have a similar composition to Earth's mantle, suggesting that they originated from Earth. Additionally, computer simulations have shown that a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized object could produce a debris disk that would eventually form the Moon.

3. Could life have existed on Earth before the planetary collision?

It is possible that simple forms of life may have existed on Earth before the collision, but it is unlikely that complex life would have been able to survive. The impact would have caused widespread destruction and changes to the planet's environment, making it difficult for life to thrive. It is believed that the collision actually helped to create the conditions necessary for life to develop on Earth.

4. How did the Moon's formation affect Earth's rotation and tides?

Before the Moon was formed, Earth's rotation was much faster, with a day lasting only a few hours. The impact of the collision caused Earth's rotation to slow down, eventually leading to the 24-hour day we have today. The Moon also created tides on Earth, which played a crucial role in the development of early life forms. Tides helped to circulate nutrients and oxygen in the oceans, creating a more hospitable environment for life to evolve.

5. Are there other factors besides the Moon that have made life possible on Earth?

While the formation of the Moon was a crucial factor in creating a habitable environment on Earth, there are other factors that have also played a role. Earth's distance from the Sun, its composition, and its magnetic field are all important factors that have contributed to the development and sustainability of life on our planet. The Moon is just one piece of the puzzle in the complex and ongoing story of life on Earth.

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