How the Moon Was Made: Lunar Evolution Explained (Infographic)

By Karl Tate
published

Conceptual illustrations of the birth of the moon.
Stages in the formation of Earth's moon in the early solar system. (Image credit: By Karl Tate, Infographics Artist)

Scientists studying the interior of the Earth and computer simulations of the early solar system conclude that Earth's moon could have formed less than 100 million years after the birth of the solar system. 

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.

Karl Tate
Karl Tate
Space.com contributor

Karl's association with Space.com goes back to 2000, when he was hired to produce interactive Flash graphics. From 2010 to 2016, Karl worked as an infographics specialist across all editorial properties of Purch (formerly known as TechMediaNetwork).  Before joining Space.com, Karl spent 11 years at the New York headquarters of The Associated Press, creating news graphics for use around the world in newspapers and on the web.  He has a degree in graphic design from Louisiana State University and now works as a freelance graphic designer in New York City.