Lecture: The Evolution of the Moon.

On Friday, October 9, 2026, Prof. Dr. Wim van Westrenen (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) will give a lecture on the evolution of the Moon.
According to the classical theory, the Moon formed 4.5 billion years ago following a massive collision between the young Earth and a planet named Theia. However, recent research on lunar rocks collected during the Apollo missions and Chinese lunar missions has cast doubt on this explanation. This is because the Moon’s composition appears to be strikingly similar to that of Earth.
During the lecture, Van Westrenen will discuss why scientists are searching for new explanations for the Moon’s formation. Possible scenarios range from collisions between Earth-like planets to the idea that the Moon once formed directly from the young, rapidly rotating Earth.
He will also explain why the Moon is so special: it stabilizes the Earth’s axis, influences the tides, and, thanks to its virtually unchanged surface, serves as a unique time capsule of the early solar system.
Prof. Wim van Westrenen is a professor of Planetary Evolution at VU Amsterdam and conducts research on the formation and evolution of planets, moons, and exoplanets.

Register via Eventbrite.
https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/de-evolutie-van-de-maan-tickets-1991890759883?aff=tda