Theia

Theia: A Hypothetical Ancient Planet

Theia is the name given to a hypothetical planet that, according to the giant-impact hypothesis, collided with the early Earth around 4.5 billion years ago. This cataclysmic event is believed to have formed the Moon.

Key points about Theia:

• Size: Theia is thought to have been roughly the size of Mars.

• Impact: The collision between Theia and the early Earth was a violent event that ejected a massive amount of debris into orbit.

• Moon Formation: This debris eventually coalesced to form the Moon.

• Earth's Composition: The impact may have also contributed to Earth's mass and composition.

While Theia itself no longer exists, its remnants live on in the Moon and, potentially, within the Earth itself. The giant-impact hypothesis is widely accepted by scientists as the most likely explanation for the formation of the Moon.