New Theory of Lunar Formation

[baltoro]

I ran into an article in this morning's Los Angeles Times describing a new theory concerning the Moon's formation.   
Here's the news from Nature: Early Earth May Have Had Two Moons
Here is a paper published in Science last year, with a different theory: Structure and Formation of the Lunar Farside Highlands

"The fact that the nearside of the Moon looks so different to the farside has been a puzzle since the dawn of the space age."
"All this is great fun and tells us that there are very fundamental questions that remain about the Moon."

Here is the standard theory of Moon formation: Accretion of the Earth, 2008
...And, if you want simulations, here is a paper submitted to Icarus: Simulations of a Late Lunar-Forming Impact, 2003

[Magnum]

It would have been neat seeing the smaller moon smash into the larger one.

[baltoro]

DAMN,...it sure would. And, can you imagine the surf ??? Dudes from California would be riding Tsunamis all the way to Canada !!!

[vanjast]

They'd need a 'speed board'.. a normal board cannot keep up with the speed of that 'wave'.
:bg

[hutch--]

If its the version I heard you could probably ride the tsunami from California to New York.  :P

[dedndave]

probably not easy to get on top of a wave that is 3 miles high   :P
it's going to take more than a waxed-up board and a hooter

[vanjast]

... a hooter

Two of those maybe...  :green2

[baltoro]

...Afterburners,... :eek