What if Earth was a moon of a gas giant?

If stable gas giants are more likely to orbit further out from their star, then the earth-size moon would be frozen on the surface; even if kept warm inside by tidal forces, radioactivity, and original hot material.

What if Earth was Jupiter’s moon?

If Jupiter were as close to Earth as the moon, our planet would become one of the gas giant’s moons. Its gravity would also bring volcanic destruction to Earth. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Are moons made of gas?

Moons — also called natural satellites — come in many shapes, sizes and types. They are generally solid bodies, and few have atmospheres. Most planetary moons probably formed from the discs of gas and dust circulating around planets in the early solar system.

What would happen if Earth turned into a gas giant?

By the way, our gas giant would be a beautiful deep blue, mainly due to the high water content on our planet. Secondly, the effects on our Solar System would be barely noticeable, at best. Earth would now be a dominant gravitational force in the inner Solar System (other than the Sun, of course), causing slight perturbations in the Asteroid Belt.

How did the Moon form according to the giant impact theory?

The giant-impact hypothesis, sometimes called the Big Splash, or the Theia Impact, suggests that the Moon formed from the ejecta of a collision between the proto-Earth and a Mars -sized planetesimal, approximately 4.5 billion years ago, in the Hadean eon (about 20 to 100 million years after the Solar System coalesced).

What would happen to the Moon if it was hit by Mars?

Computer models of a giant impact of a Mars-sized body with Earth indicate the impactor’s core would likely penetrate Earth and fuse with its own core. This would leave the Moon with less metallic iron than other planetary bodies. The Moon is depleted in volatile elements compared to Earth.

What would happen to the Moon if it were to evaporate?

This would leave the Moon with less metallic iron than other planetary bodies. The Moon is depleted in volatile elements compared to Earth. Vaporizing at comparably lower temperatures, they could be lost in a high-energy event, with the Moon’s smaller gravity unable to recapture them while Earth did.