The Origin of the Moon Quiz

What surprising discovery did Apollo astronauts make about the Moon?

• It has a different atmosphere than Earth.

• Its surface is covered in water.

• It is made entirely of ice.

• Its composition is similar to Earth's.

What was the name of the protoplanet that collided with Earth?

• Thea

• Jupiter

• Venus

• Mars

According to the classical theory, how did the Moon form?

• From a head-on collision with a large asteroid.

• From a glancing blow with a Mars-sized object.

• From the capture of a passing comet.

• From volcanic activity on Earth.

What is a sinestia?

• A type of asteroid.

• A type of lunar rock.

• A donut-shaped cloud of molten rock.

• A small moon orbiting Earth.

Why is the Moon's composition similar to Earth's?

• Because it formed from the same sinestia.

• Because it was captured from another solar system.

• Because it is made of ice.

• Because it has a different origin.

What is the significance of the sinestia's formation?

• It suggests the Moon was captured from another planet.

• It shows the Moon is made of ice.

• It provides a new model for planetary formation.

• It explains the Moon's unique orbit.

What was the result of the head-on collision between Thea and Earth?

• The capture of Thea by Earth's gravity.

• The creation of a sinestia.

• The destruction of Earth.

• The formation of a new planet.

What happens to the sinestia over time?

• It remains unchanged.

• It evaporates into space.

• It cools and condenses into solid bodies.

• It expands and forms new planets.

What does new lunar data suggest about the Moon?

• It is shrinking over time.

• It is moving closer to Earth.

• It may have once supported life.

• It has a thick atmosphere.

How did the Moon eventually form from the sinestia?

• By splitting off from Mars.

• By volcanic eruptions on Earth.

• By condensing from the outer edges of the sinestia.

• By capturing passing asteroids.