The moon is the Earth’s natural satellite, the brightest object in the night sky. Since ancient times, it has attracted the views of people and touched the most poetic strings in their souls. The influence of the moon on our planet is very great. The most striking example of this is the ebb and flow. They arise in connection with the gravitational attraction provided by the Earth’s satellite. In addition, since ancient times, people used the lunar calendar. Throughout almost the entire history of mankind, it has been the main method not only for chronology, but also for orientation in daily affairs. Looking at the lunar calendar, our ancestors decided whether to start sowing or reaping, to organize or not fair celebrations.
The almighty church also focused on the phases of the moon. According to the calendar, she declared various religious holidays and Lent.
For hundreds of years, people have been arguing about the origin of the moon. But, despite the rapid development of scientific thought, a huge number of unresolved questions about our only satellite remained unanswered.
What is the actual origin of the moon? Hypotheses that allow us to somehow come close to this answer are both scientific in nature and are simply fantastic assumptions.
Folk tradition
There is a legend about the origin of the moon. According to her, in ancient times, when even Time itself was young, a girl lived on our planet. She was so beautiful that anyone who saw her was simply breathtaking.
In those years, people did not know what anger and hatred are. On Earth, only harmony, mutual understanding and love reigned. Even God was pleased to contemplate the world he created. This lasted for years, which turned into centuries. The planet was like a blooming fairy tale, and, it seemed, nothing could darken such a beautiful picture.
However, over the years, bathing in the rays of her own success and beauty, the girl changed her modest lifestyle to a loose one. At night, she began to seduce the most beautiful men on the planet, illuminating the darkness with a bright glow. Her behavior became known to God.
He punished the lecher, sending her to the horizon. After that, the girl-moon began to illuminate the beautiful planet with her captivating and pure glow. People began to go out into the night streets to enjoy the unique beauty pouring from the sky. This gentle light lit up in the hearts of young men and women, bringing warmth to the soul. Thus, the moon took away calm from people. They could no longer sleep at night and fell into her gentle trap. The moon gave them the most inexplicable feelings, forcing the hearts of earthlings to beat in time with mysterious thoughts and fantastic love.
Selena
What is the origin of the name moon? For example, if we mean a name, then it has Greek roots. In this language, the word "celas" means "luster", "light", "radiant". Hence the name Moon came.
The meaning and origin of Selena is shrouded in myths. In some of them, she is a hero associated with the Sun. If we take the works of Aeschylus, then in them Selena is the daughter of Helios. According to other sources, she is his wife or sister. There are myths that say that Selena is the daughter of the titan Paplant and sister of Nikta. In other words, versions of ancient legends diverge. The names of Selena differ in them. In some myths, she is Hyperilla, Ifianass, Neid, or Chromia.
The usual image of Selena is a winged woman, dressed in silver clothes, on whose head is a golden wreath. It is the main one in the night sky and moves along it in its chariot, in which white winged buffaloes, bulls or horses are harnessed.
The Slavs have their origin in the name of the Moon. In Latin it is “rune”, and in French - lime. These words have an ancient Indo-European root, which means “light” or “lux”.
In the Slavic language, the meaning of the name Moon is very similar to all previous versions. The origin of the word in this case can be explained by the name of the star, like louksna. Translated, this means "brilliant" and "bright."
The main mysteries of the Earth satellite
After a scrupulous analysis of the physical qualities of our neighbor, many details allow us to express the opinion that the artificial origin of the moon is still very likely. On the one hand, this theory seems absurd, but on the other, it rests on eight postulates, the analysis of which reveals the curious characteristics of this satellite.
And it is no accident that this theory of the origin of the moon, which was put forward in 1960 by Russian researchers Mikhail Vasin and Alexander Shcherbakov, did not cease to interest their colleagues in the future. Proponents of the hypothesis of the artificial origin of the Earth's satellite are of the opinion that it was once attracted by the gravitational field of our planet. The moon, in their opinion, could be towed by someone. And this is quite likely. The chance of capturing the moon by the earth is almost zero. After all, our planet is not so large in size in comparison with its current satellite.
The cometary theory of the origin of the moon is also unable to withstand criticism. After all, all cosmic bodies carry a large number of volatile substances. However, there are practically none on the moon. Therefore, it is clearly not of cosmic origin. According to some researchers, the moon is nothing more than an alien ship.
Riddle No. 1. The ratio of masses
If we compare the Moon with other planets that are in our solar system, then it is distinguished by some anomalous characteristics. For example, the ratio of the masses and sizes of the Moon and the Earth is unusually low. So, the diameter of our planet is four times larger than the same parameter of its satellite. For Jupiter, for example, this value is eighty.
Another interesting detail is the distance between the Earth and the Moon. It is relatively small. In this regard, in its visual dimensions, the moon coincides with the sun. This is also confirmed by such phenomena as the eclipses of our closest star, when the Earth’s satellite completely covers the heavenly luminary.
Anomalous for researchers is the perfectly round orbit of the moon. Other satellites of the solar system rotate along an elliptical path.
Riddle number 2. Gravity center
Researchers note an extraordinary deviation of the moon. The gravitational center of this satellite is 1800 meters closer to its geometric center. It can also prove the artificial origin of the moon. Versions about why the satellite of our planet with such a significant discrepancy still rotates in a circular orbit, simply does not exist.
Riddle No. 3. Titanium surface
Having looked at the photograph of the moon, many are confident that they see craters on its surface. However, in the absence of atmosphere, the planet does not seem to be much “beaten” by cosmic bodies falling on it.
In addition, lunar craters are so small in comparison with their circumference that it seems that meteorite fragments fell on extremely durable material. Shcherbakov and Vasin suggested that the lunar surface is made of titanium. This version has been verified. As a result of the data obtained, it can be concluded that the lunar crust has extraordinary properties of titanium to a depth of almost 32 km.
Riddle No. 4. Oceans
The artificial origin of the moon is also proved by giant expansions located on its surface, called oceans. Many researchers believe that this is nothing more than traces of frozen lava emerging from the bowels of the planet after exposure to meteorites. Although all this can be explained only by volcanic activity.
Riddle number 5. Gravity
The theory of the origin of the moon as an artificial body is also confirmed by the presence on this planet of inhomogeneous gravitational attraction. This was confirmed by the Apollo VIII crew. The astronauts noted sharp anomalies of gravity , which in some places mysteriously amplifies significantly.
Riddle number 6. Craters, oceans, mountains
On the back of the moon, which is not visible from the Earth, scientists have discovered a large number of craters, geographic shocks and mountains. However, only the oceans are visible to us. Such a gravitational discrepancy also allows us to put forward the version that the artificial origin of the moon is taking place.
Riddle number 7. Density
The density of the moon is extremely low. Its value is only 60% of the density of our planet. According to existing laws of physics, in this case the moon should be simply hollow. And this is with the relative rigidity of its surface. This is another argument justifying the artificial origin of the moon.
Scientists have other hypotheses on this score, which together are the eighth postulate. Let's consider them in more detail.
Department of Matter
The history of the origin of the moon has worried people at all times. The first logical explanation for the appearance of this satellite on our planet was given in the 19th century. George Darwin. He was the son of Charles Darwin, who advanced the theory of natural selection.
George was a very authoritative and famous astronomer who devoted much time to studying the celestial satellite of our planet. In 1878, he put forward the version that the origin of the moon was the result of the separation of matter. Most likely, George Darwin became the first researcher to establish the fact that our celestial satellite is gradually moving away from the Earth. After calculating the speed of the divergence of the planets, the astronomer suggested that in former times they were a single whole.
In the distant past, the Earth was a viscous matter and rotated around its axis in just 5.5 hours. This led to the fact that centrifugal forces "pulled out" part of the substance from the planet. Over time, the Moon formed from this piece. At the separation site on Earth, the Pacific Ocean appeared.
This origin of the moon planet was quite reasonable. As a result, the version of J. Darwin dominated at the beginning of the 20th century. The theory perfectly explained the similarity of the composition of the lunar and terrestrial rocks, the lower density of the satellite of our planet and its size.
However, this version in 1920 was criticized by Harold Jeffries. This British astronomer proved that the viscosity of our planet in a semi-molten state could not promote such a powerful vibration to lead to the appearance of two planets. Against what exactly the origin of the moon was, hypotheses were put forward by other researchers. After all, it became unclear what laws and phenomena allowed the Earth to accelerate so quickly, and then drastically reduce its speed in orbit. In addition, it is proven that the age of the Pacific Ocean is about 70 million years. And this is too little to accept the scenario proposed by J. Darwin for the appearance of a celestial satellite.
Planet capture
How else was the origin of the moon explained? There were various versions, but the hypothesis that came out in 1909 from the pen of Thomas Jefferson Jackson Oe became the most explainable of them. This American astronomer suggested that in the old days the Moon was a small planet entering the solar system. However, gradually, under the influence of the gravitational forces acting on it, its orbit took the form of an ellipse and intersected with the orbit of the Earth. Further, our planet with the help of gravitational forces "captured" it. As a result, the moon moved into a new orbit and became a satellite.
This hypothesis is confirmed by a rather high angular momentum. In addition, myths of ancient peoples speak in favor of this version, which claim that there were times when the moon did not exist at all.
However, such a scenario was hardly the case. When a small planet passes near the Earth, the gravitational forces acting on the cosmic body would most likely destroy it or throw it far enough. In contrast to this theory is the fact that the lunar and terrestrial surfaces have a certain similarity.
Joint formation
This hypothesis was the main one in the Soviet scientific world. It was first voiced in the writings of Kant back in 1775. According to this version, both planets formed from a single gas and dust cloud. In this loop, the proto-Earth was born, which gradually gained a large mass. As a result, particles of the cloud began to revolve around our planet, sticking to their own orbits. Some of them fell on the Earth that was not yet fully formed and increased it. Others occupied circular orbits and, being at the same distance from our planet, formed the Moon.
This hypothesis is fully explained by the fact that the Earth and the Moon are of the same age, similar rocks and much more. However, the origin of such a high angular momentum and atypical inclination of the orbit plane of our satellite is unknown. It seems strange that the planets formed simultaneously have different ratios of the mass of the core and shells, and the reason for the disappearance of light elements from the celestial satellite is also unknown.
Substance evaporation
Researchers put forward this hypothesis at the beginning of the 20th century. According to this version, under the influence of cosmic particles constantly falling on the Earth’s surface, its surface underwent strong heating. A substance melted, which soon began to evaporate. Then the effect of blowing out the light elements by the solar wind began. Heavier particles underwent the condensation process over time. This happened at a certain distance from the Earth, where the moon was formed.
This version explains well the small core of the celestial satellite, the similarities of the rocks of the two planets, as well as the low amount of volatile light elements present on it. However, how can one explain the high angular momentum? In addition, it is already known that the Earth was not exposed to warming. Therefore, there was simply nothing to evaporate.
Megaimpact
All theories about the origin of the moon that existed until the mid-1970s for one reason or another could not be fully confirmed. At the same time, there was an almost unthinkable situation where researchers simply could not answer the question about the origin of our only satellite. This uncertainty was the main impetus for the birth of the new version.
A relatively young hypothesis of the origin of the moon is collision theory. It appeared in 1975, and now it is considered the main one. According to this version, the origin of the Moon and the Earth occurred in those distant times, when the Solar system itself arose from a gas-dust cloud. In this case, it turned out that at the same distance from the celestial luminary two planets formed immediately, which appeared in the same orbit. One of them is the young Earth. The other was the planet Teia. Both celestial bodies gradually grew. Further, their masses became so noticeable that the planets began to gradually approach each other. Teia was smaller than Earth, and therefore began to be attracted to a heavier neighbor. According to researchers, the fatal meeting took place 4.5 billion years ago. Theia collided with Earth. The blow was strong, but occurred on a tangent. At the same time, the earth was turned inside out. A part of the mantle of our planet and a large part of Tei “splashed out” into near-earth orbit. This substance became the embryo of the future Moon, the final formation of which occurred about a hundred years after this collision. Upon impact, the Earth received a large angular momentum.
The hypothesis is explained by the small size of the lunar core, and the similarities of the rocks of the two planets. However, it is not clear why the final evaporation of light elements did not occur, which, albeit in small quantities, are present in the lunar crust.
Documentary Movie Facts
All materials about the Moon that are available in the public domain are far from exhaustive information. What secrets does this planet have in it? What is the origin of the moon? The documentary, which tells about the events taking place on the satellite of our planet, immediately interested the audience. It came out under the title “Sensation of the Century. Moon. Hiding the facts. " It tells us that mysterious and inexplicable phenomena occur on this cosmic body. And this is confirmed by the evidence of astronomers. Especially often on the moon, researchers see wandering and stationary lights, bright sudden flashes, light from the craters of extinct volcanoes and strange rays that cut through the recesses of the lunar surface.
Also, according to many scientists, Americans did not land on the surface of this celestial body. And if they landed, the materials presented in the public domain are an outright fake. The reason for this disbelief lies in the fact that the missions completed did not go as originally intended. In addition, astronauts who were on the moon at one time, a little later, and only in personal conversations, argued that all of their actions were continuously monitored. It was carried out with constantly flying unidentified flying objects around the ship.
This fully explains the artificial origin of the Earth’s satellite and the version that the Moon is an alien ship. The theory of a possibly hollow planet also finds its explanation.