Compositional Balancing Before Moon
Formation
A striking feature of the Earth and Moon is that they have
identical oxygen isotopic compositions, in spite of
considerable variation throughout the solar system.
PSRDpresents
www.psrd.hawaii.edu/Feb08/EarthMoonFormation.html
Compositional Balancing Before Moon
Formation
Painting by James Garry
Planet formation involved substantial
mixing throughout inner solar system
as planetary embryos accreted.
Considering the variability in Oisotopes throughout the solar system,
why do Earth and Moon have the
same oxygen isotopic composition?
PSRDpresents
Planetary embryo accretion simulation by
John Chambers. Note how much mixing
there is as accretion proceeds.
www.psrd.hawaii.edu/Feb08/EarthMoonFormation.html
Compositional Balancing Before Moon
Formation
Oxygen isotopes might have equilibrated between Earth and Moon via the
hot silicate atmosphere surrounding the proto-Earth and proto-lunar disk.
PSRDpresents
www.psrd.hawaii.edu/Feb08/EarthMoonFormation.html