For centuries, the Moon has captivated humanity with its striking appearance, but its true origins remained a mystery until the Apollo 11 mission. After landing on the Moon and collecting rocks, the crew shed light on its enigma. Now, fifty years later, NASA's recovery of the unmanned Artemis I capsule marks the beginning of a new era of lunar exploration. In his video series, Dr. Robert M. Hazen, a renowned Earth Sciences professor, unravels the origin of the Moon, taking us on a journey from its ancient beginnings to the future of human existence.

What Did the Apollo Missions Accomplish?

The mystery of the Moon's origins remained unsolved until the data from the Moon rocks collected during the Apollo missions provided crucial answers. Between 1969 and 1972, twelve NASA astronauts, including Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, embarked on six successful Moon landings, resulting in the remarkable collection of over 840 pounds of lunar samples from six different sites. These missions also involved various measurements and experiments, such as seismic surveys and gravity readings. The significance of the Apollo missions extended beyond scientific exploration, influencing the global Space Race, inspiring technological advancements, and leaving a profound impact on Earth scientists. With the return of the lunar samples, humanity could, for the first time, physically interact with and study the Moon, unraveling its composition, formation, and history.

How Was the Moon Formed?

The Apollo lunar samples played a pivotal role in disproving existing theories about the Moon's formation. According to the prevailing theory, approximately 4.53 billion years ago, a planet-sized object called Theia entered Earth's gravitational orbit, competing with Earth for the same space. Eventually, the two bodies collided, with Earth emerging as the victor due to its larger size. This theory, known as "The Big Thwack," suggests that the impact resulted in the pulverization of Theia and the dislodgment of portions of Earth's crust and mantle, which were propelled into space.