Simulating the Phases of the Moon Shortly After Its Formation

TL;DR

This paper presents simulations of the Moon's early phases following its formation, highlighting its highly elliptical initial orbit and discussing the educational value of these models.

Contribution

It introduces a simulation model of the Moon's early orbital phases based on the giant impact hypothesis, emphasizing its pedagogical utility.

Findings

Moon's early orbit was highly elliptical

Simulations show the Moon's phases shortly after formation

Educational value of the simulation models

Abstract

The leading theory for the origin of the Moon is the giant impact hypothesis, in which the Moon was formed out of the debris left over from the collision of a Mars-sized body with the Earth. Soon after its formation, the orbit of the Moon may have been very different than it is today. We have simulated the phases of the Moon in a model for its formation wherein the Moon develops a highly elliptical orbit with its major axis tangential to the Earth's orbit. This note describes these simulations and their pedagogical value.