Earth's Moon: Formation, Composition and Orbit

Astronaut Paolo Nespoli took this image of the moon on March 20, 2011, and wrote, "#Supermoon was spectacular from here!"
Astronaut Paolo Nespoli took this image of the moon aboard the International Space Station on March 20, 2011, and wrote, "#Supermoon was spectacular from here!" (Image credit: ESA/NASA)

Scientists say a giant impact knocked off the raw ingredients for the moon off the primitive molten Earth and into orbit.

Related Topics: Earth, Apollo Program, Moon Phases 

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