Earth used to have two moons

Scientists believe that the two satellites once revolved around the earth, but after a collision they became the moon today.

On the moon, the part that people see from the earth has flat terrain. In contrast, the unseen part is quite rugged with mountains with a height of more than 3,000 meters. For decades, the scientific community has tried to explain that difference. A series of hypotheses have been put forward.

The figure simulates the merging process between two satellites to create a single moon.

According to the latest hypothesis, the difference between the two parts of the moon is the result of a collision , the BBC reported.

Dr. Martin Jutzi, a researcher at the University of Bern in Switzerland, is one of the latest hypotheses about the formation of the moon. He said that with the old hypotheses, humans cannot explain why the earth has only one moon. The latest hypothesis has the ability to clarify that secret.

Proponents of the new hypothesis suggest that a planet the size of Mars has ever hit Earth about 4 billion years ago. The amount of material remaining in that planet creates two satellites flying around the earth.

Smaller satellites are trapped in the 'gravitational battle' between the globe and larger satellites.

After several million years of being caught between two large 'neighbors' , small satellites rush into large satellites at a speed of about 2.4 km / sec - slower than the speed of sound in rocks. Because the merger process is slow, it does not leave significant impacts, such as great vibration or melting of matter.

Jutzi said that one of the ways to prove the new hypothesis is to study physical samples in the invisible part of the moon.

"We hope in the future, a physical sample from the hidden part of the moon or a manned space flight to the planet will help us confirm which hypothesis is correct ," Jutzi said.