The peaceful glow of the moonlight in our sky belies a violent history. Evidence suggests that the Moon formed when a Marssized object collided with the young Earth, and detailed computer models show us how such an impact could form our lunar companion in just one month.

Science Bulletins is a production of the National Center for Science
Literacy, Education, and Technology (NCSLET), part of the Department of
Education at the American Museum of Natural History. This visualization
was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA).