TechTECH AND SCIENCE
Did a giant object collide with Earth to form the moon?
The new modeling from the Southwest Research Institute and the University of Arizona is published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters; the moon, apparently, was a rush job.
On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on Late Night BBNPublished
Watch it as it aired: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on this story, from Late Night BBN at 11:49 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Space's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by Space: “Did a giant object collide with Earth to form the moon?”, with reporting from ScienceDaily, Phys.org and Universe Today.
- Covered on BBN on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 11:49 PM ET on Late Night BBN, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.
- Topics: Earth.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- SpaceDid a giant object collide with Earth to form the moon?
- ScienceDailyThe Moon may have formed intact just hours after a giant collision September 9, 2026 · facts used on air
- Phys.orgGiant impact could have formed an intact moon within five hours, simulations suggest facts used on air
- Universe TodayScientists Are Still Trying To Understand How the Moon Formed - Universe Today facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentNew simulations from the Southwest Research Institute say an intact moon formed within about five hours of the giant impact, and the outcome depended on how hot Earth and Theia were beforehand.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentFive hours? Earth got hit by a planet and the moon was done before the late show ended.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentEarlier models treated the rock like liquid. This one counts material strength, which matters, because rock is not soup.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentRock is not soup. I'm putting that on a shirt.
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From the archive: everything BBN aired on Monday, October 19, 2026 · the Tech archive · all months
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