Earth Collision Artist Concept (IMAGE)
Caption
This artist's concept shows a giant impact similar to the one 4.5 billion years ago that scientists think created the Earth-Moon system. Southwest Research Institute scientists combined dynamical, thermal, and chemical models of the Moon's formation to explain the relative lack of volatile elements in lunar rocks, when compared to those of Earth.
Credit
Image Courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech
Usage Restrictions
Image Courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech
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