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Study Reveals Theia's Origins: Moon's Chemical Bond to Earth

11/27/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The study from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research and the University of Chicago concludes Theia, a Mars-sized body, originated in the inner Solar System near proto-Earth.
Researchers analyzed isotopes from Earth, the Moon, and meteorites to show the Moon's chemical signature matches Earth's.
They conclude Earth and Theia shared similar building blocks, and their collision formed the Moon.
The findings are published in Science.

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Story summary

The study from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research and the University of Chicago concludes Theia, a Mars-sized body, originated in the inner Solar System near proto-Earth.
Researchers analyzed isotopes from Earth, the Moon, and meteorites to show the Moon's chemical signature matches Earth's.
They conclude Earth and Theia shared similar building blocks, and their collision formed the Moon.
The findings are published in Science.