Context
A new study on lunar and Earth rocks shows that Theia, the body that collided with young Earth to form the Moon, likely formed closer to the Sun than Earth did.
Key Findings
- Scientists measured iron isotopes in lunar rocks, Earth rocks, and meteorites.
- They compared these with data on zirconium (Zr) and molybdenum (Mo).
- The Earth and Moon have iron isotope compositions that match meteorites from the inner solar system (closer to the Sun).
- This suggests Theia originated near the Sun, not from Earth’s neighbourhood.
Significance
- Provides new evidence supporting the giant impact hypothesis of Moon formation.
- Shows that early Solar System material moved around more than previously thought.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
