The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

David Hobbs. Photo.

David Hobbs

Professor

David Hobbs. Photo.

A new equation of state applied to planetary impacts : II. Lunar-forming impact simulations with a primordial magma ocean

Author

  • Robert Wissing
  • David Hobbs

Summary, in English

Observed FeO/MgO ratios in the Moon and Earth are inconsistent with simulations done with a single homogeneous silicate layer. In this paper we use a newly developed equation of state to perform smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations on the lunar-forming impact, testing the effect of a primordial magma ocean on Earth. This is investigated using the impact parameters of both the canonical case, in which a Mars-sized impactor hits a non-rotating Earth at an oblate angle, and the fast-rotating case, in which a half-sized Mars impactor hits a fast-spinning Earth head-on. We find that the inclusion of a magma ocean results in a less massive Moon and leads to slightly more mixing. Additionally, we test how an icy Theia would affect the results and find that this reduces the probability of a successful Moon formation. Simulations of the fast-spinning case are found to be unable to form a massive-enough Moon.

Department/s

  • Lund Observatory - Undergoing reorganization

Publishing year

2020-11-01

Language

English

Publication/Series

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Volume

643

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

EDP Sciences

Topic

  • Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology

Keywords

  • Earth
  • Equation of state
  • Moon
  • Planets and satellites: dynamical evolution and stability
  • Planets and satellites: formation
  • Planets and satellites: interiors

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0004-6361