New computer simulations suggest the Moon may have come together in roughly five hours, Live Science reported on September 9, 2026. That is far quicker than the timeline many scientists have worked with, which held that the process unfolded over months or years.
The findings point to a formation scenario in which material thrown off early Earth gathered into the Moon within a single short span. A University of Arizona News headline describes the same modeling work as examining whether the early Moon was "soft and stretchy or rock solid," indicating that researchers are probing the physical state of the material as it assembled.
Coverage of the study has drawn attention beyond scientific circles. WION reported that some internet users argued the five-hour estimate supports a biblical account of the creation of the heavens. That reaction is a public response to the research, not a finding of the study itself.
The question of how Earth acquired its Moon remains open. Universe Today noted that scientists are still trying to understand the formation process, and a roundup from realnoevremya.com grouped the Moon's birth alongside other current science topics, including dark matter and a pig kidney experiment. The new simulations add a candidate answer to a debate that has not been settled.
Next, watch for peer review and independent testing of the simulations, which will determine whether the five-hour figure holds up.
