The origin of the Earth and Moon is one of science’s greatest mystery stories. The Apollo missions shattered previous ideas, but lunar samples contain a major clue to our planet’s creation: the Moon is Earth’s isotopic twin. The isotopes of elements are like a planetary fingerprint: no two bodies are the same – except the Earth and Moon. After Apollo, a giant impact became the leading explanation for the Moon, but it failed to explain this key observation. Professor Stewart-Mukhopadhyay will explain how the discovery of a new type of astronomical object, called a synestia, can save the giant impact hypothesis.

This is an in-person public lecture and all are welcome.

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You can read more about Professor Sarah Stewart-Mukhopadhyay's research on her BBMDVP web profile page.