Chandrayaan 2 Launch: How did the Moon come into existence? ISRO explains four theories. Details here

As India's Chandrayaan 2 lifts off on its lunar sojourn on Monday, here are four theories which ISRO feel may have led to the formation of Earth's natural satellite- Moon. ISRO's Pragyaan rover aims at exploring the Moon's south polar region to uncover the extent of water molecule distribution on the lunar surface to address the origin of water on Moon.

The Fission Theory:

One of the most popular moon origin theories, this theory proposes that the Moon was once part of the Earth split from the planet due to Earth's rotational speed. It further states that the moon's gravitational pull anchored the separated fragment i.e. the moon to the Earth to become our natural satellite. This theory was thought possible since the Moon's composition resembles that of the Earth's mantle.

Giant Impact Hypothesis:

One of the accepted moon origin theories also known as the Ejected ring theory, this theory states that a collision between the Earth and another celestial body caused a segment of the planet to break off and become the moon. 

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Co-accretion Theory:

This theory unifies the origins of Earth and Moon stating that a single cloud of gas created the moon and the Earth while orbiting a black hole. The theory explains how Earth and Moon formed independently of each other but from the same 'circum-terrestrial disc' in our solar system.

Capture Theory:

One of the most improbable theory, this theory states that the Moon was an untethered object before it was captured by the Earth's gravitational field during a fly by. It explains that the Moon was formed somewhere else in the solar system before its capture into the Earth's orbit.

Here's the Instagram story posted by ISRO:

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Chandrayaan 2 launch:

Chandrayaan-2's rocket lifted off at the scheduled time of 2:43 PM on July 22. The average distance between the Earth and the Moon is 3, 84, 000 km. Vikram lander will land on Moon on the 48th day of the mission starting from Monday approximately on September 9.

This moon-lander and rover mission proves that India is taking lead in space exploration as its mission aims to investigate the unexplored south pole of the moon. With Chandrayaan-2 India aims at the soft landing on the Moon. If successful, it will be the fourth country after the US, Russia, and China to do so.

Celebrating the successful launch of India's lunar mission Chandrayaan-2, ISRO announced the successful injection of its indigenous GSLV MK-III rocket- 'Bahubali' into the Earth Orbit.