The Earth and moon formed later than previously thought
Monday, June 7, 2010 - 11:20
in Astronomy & Space
The Earth and moon were created as the result of a giant collision between two planets the size of Mars and Venus. Until now it was thought to have happened when the solar system was 30 million years old or approximately 4,537 million years ago. But new research shows that the Earth and Moon must have formed much later -- perhaps up to 150 million years after the formation of the solar system.