Ep 6. Did Earth Have Two Moons?

In NASA's Unexplained Files season 5 episode 6, titled "Did Earth Have Two Moons?", we dive deep into the possibility that our planet Earth once had not one, but two natural satellites. The episode begins by exploring the discovery of a small asteroid, named 3753 Cruithne, that has an unusual orbit around the sun. The asteroid, which is about 5 km in diameter, follows a horseshoe-shaped path relative to Earth, leading some scientists to speculate that it could be a remnant of a second moon that once orbited our planet.

The episode then delves into the history of our current moon, and how it likely formed as a result of a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized object about 4.5 billion years ago. But what about the second moon theory? Could there have been another object that also collided with our planet, creating a second moon that eventually either crashed into Earth or was flung out into space? The search for evidence of a second moon begins.

Scientific experts from various fields are brought in to examine different pieces of evidence that may point to the existence of another moon. One expert analyzes images captured by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and claims to have spotted unusual formations on the moon's surface that could be remnants of a previous moon. Another expert studies gravitational anomalies around Earth's orbit and finds that there are several areas where objects could have stably orbited our planet in the past.

The episode then explores the theory that a second moon could explain some of the mysteries that still surround our current moon. For example, there are some craters on the moon that appear to have formed at the same time, which is unusual since craters are typically scattered randomly over a planetary surface. The presence of a second moon could explain this phenomenon, as it would have resulted in an increased number of impact events on the moon's surface.

As the experts continue to analyze various pieces of evidence, they come to an interesting conclusion: while it's impossible to definitively prove that Earth had a second moon, the evidence does suggest that it's a possibility. While the idea of a second moon might seem far-fetched, it's important to remember that our understanding of the universe is constantly evolving, and what we once thought was impossible can sometimes turn out to be true.

Overall, this episode of NASA's Unexplained Files is a fascinating exploration of a little-known theory about our planet's history. It's a reminder that there is still so much we don't know about the universe, and that even seemingly crazy ideas can sometimes have some basis in reality. Whether or not Earth had a second moon, the episode serves as a great reminder that the quest for knowledge and understanding is never-ending.