Earth Sciences 1086F/G Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Terrestrial Planet, Apollo Program, George Darwin
4 Jan 2021
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Very large relative to the planet it orbits. Abnormally low density for an object associated with terrestrial planet. Core that amounts to 2-4% of total mass (compared to 30% of earth"s core) Difficult to explain how earth is partnered with the moon. Prior to 1970s, three hypothesis to suggest origin of the moon: Fission hypothesis: moon broke off from the rapidly spinning earth. Condensation hypothesis: earth and moon formed contemporaneously from same material. Capture hypothesis: moon formed as independent planetary body that was later captured by earth during a close pass. Main objective of the apollo space program was to resolve the question of lunar origin by testing these hypothesis. Astronauts brought back raw data and material needed to answer this question. Earth spun so fast in early days of its formation that a bulge developed and eventually was thrown into orbit. Would require earth rotate once every 2. 5 hours rather than every 24 hours (led to hypothesis being rejected)
