HBS #3 Violent Birth, Slow Escape - How Did the Moon Really Form?

Around 4½ billion years ago, a Mars-sized object named Theia smashed into early Earth, melting rock into vapor and throwing molten debris into orbit. From that debris our Moon condensed. In this episode of Heavy Brain Space, we explore how the Moon really formed, how it’s slowly drifting away, and what its fading shadow means for our future. Along the way we’ll look at tidal forces, Apollo’s laser-ranging mirrors, why we’re losing total eclipses, and why the Moon glows even in daylight.