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giant impact theory

   Also found in: Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
giant impact theory  (jnt)
A theory that explains the origins of Earth's moon, postulating that an asteroid roughly the size of Mars impacted the Earth during its formation. This impact resulted in rocky surface material being blown outward from the Earth, some of which accreted to form the Moon. This theory explains the similar oxygen isotope ratios between the Earth and the Moon as well as the Moon's lack of an iron core. It also accounts for the angular momentum that was necessary for the Moon to reach its current position.


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He is particularly known for discovering numerous aspects of the complex and subtle dynamical interactions between planetary objects and gaseous and particle disks, for helping to give birth to the giant impact theory of lunar formation and for discovering the oscillations in Mars' polar axis that drive strong climate variation over time.
 
 
 
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