Unlocking the Moon's Secrets: From Galileo to Giant Impact

The Moon is the most viewed object in the sky, and the Greeks deduced everything about it using only the naked eye. The invention of the telescope offered greater understanding, but early observers were wrong-headed and took centuries to dispel. Scientists have now closed in on the answer to the origin of the Moon, which was born in colossal violence as a planet the size of Mars crashed into the primordial Earth and flung off a blob that solidified to become our heavenly companion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 22 October 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The Moon, a captivating celestial marvel, holds the distinction of being the most observable object in the vast expanse of the sky. Its luminosity surpasses that of the Sun, rendering it impossible to gaze upon directly. Moreover, the planets, despite their immense distance, remain obscured from our direct sight. The ancient Greeks, armed solely with their naked eyes, achieved remarkable insights into the Moon. They discerned that it lacks its own light but reflects the brilliance of the Sun. Through their observations of eclipses, they comprehended the underlying mechanisms and concluded that our planet is a spherical entity. Furthermore, they employed the Earth's shadow cast upon the Moon to determine the dimensions of both celestial bodies. The advent of the telescope, spanning a mere two millennia, presented an unprecedented opportunity for profound exploration. However, early observers, driven by their curiosity, ventured down a path of misguided beliefs. Firstly, they were deceived into perceiving evidence of life on the Moon, mistaking the works of a civilization for signs of habitation. Secondly, they erroneously assumed that the Moon's craters were akin to volcanoes found on Earth, a notion that persisted for centuries. These erroneous notions required an arduous dispelling process. The genesis of the Moon itself poses a formidable challenge, yet scientists have gradually unraveled its mysteries. Through meticulous research and analysis, they have determined that our serene and seemingly unchanging Moon emerged from a colossal collision. A planet, comparable in size to Mars, impacted the primordial Earth, resulting in the ejection of a molten mass that subsequently solidified and formed our celestial companion. Unlocking the Moon's Secrets delves into these groundbreaking developments, showcasing the evolution of science through misunderstandings, contentious debates, ingrained assumptions, and evolving perspectives. It chronicles the tireless efforts of countless determined scientists who have contributed to our comprehensive understanding of the Moon. Through their tireless endeavors, we have, at last, gained a profound appreciation for this celestial wonder.

Weight: 374g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197694862