Jupiter's Historic Roaming Linked to Earth's Moon Formation, New Study Suggests

New research indicates a potential connection between Jupiter's historical movements and the creation of Earth's moon. During a period known as the "great instability," which occurred roughly 60 to 100 million years after the solar system's formation, Jupiter and other gas giants embarked on erratic paths through space. This tumultuous journey may have influenced the collision that led to the formation of our moon.

Scientists examined a specific type of meteorite, called EL enstatite chondrites, to draw links between these meteorites and the Athor family of asteroids located within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. This asteroid family was once part of a larger celestial body that shattered billions of years ago, likely due to Jupiter's migration.

Led by planetary scientist Chrysa Avdellidou of the University of Leicester, the research team used dynamic simulations to explore scenarios involving Jupiter's migration. They concluded that Jupiter could have scattered the progenitor of the Athor family into the asteroid belt as early as 60 million years after the solar system's formation.

This timeframe intriguingly aligns with the collision between Earth and a Mars-size protoplanet called Theia, believed to have resulted in the formation of our moon. Although establishing a direct causal link between Jupiter's migration and the moon's formation poses challenges given the vast timescales involved, the evidence suggests a compelling correlation.

The findings, published in the journal Science and presented at the European Geological Union General Assembly in Vienna, provide new insights into the early dynamics of our solar system. They hint at a scenario where Jupiter's gravitational influence played a significant role in shaping the celestial bodies around it.

Think of the moon as a relic of Jupiter's turbulent past, a reminder of the intricate interplay of gravitational forces in our cosmic neighbourhood.