Meteorite shower strikes early Earth
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Science Photo Library
Meteorite shower strikes early Earth
Early Earth. Artwork of a shower of fiery meteorites falling about 4000 million years ago onto the hot, glowing rocks of Earth. The craters on the surface of the Moon show that it has experienced similar bombardments. Both the Earth & Moon were formed by a process called accretion in which lumps of rock were pulled towards them by gravitational attraction. As the rocks struck the Earth, their gravitational potential energy was converted to heat. The meteorites are glowing as they fall due to friction as they pass through the primitive atmosphere formed by volcanic eruptions of volatile chemicals. At this time, the Moon was much closer to the Earth than it is today
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6342405
© JOE TUCCIARONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Early Formation Impact Meteor Shower Meteorite Meteorites
EDITORS COMMENTS
This artwork takes us back in time, about 4000 million years ago, to witness a spectacular meteorite shower bombarding the early Earth. The fiery streaks of falling meteorites illuminate the dark sky as they collide with the hot, glowing rocks below. This event not only shaped our planet but also left its mark on the Moon's surface, evident from the craters we observe today. The Earth and Moon were both formed through a process called accretion, where gravitational attraction pulled lumps of rock towards them. As these rocks collided with Earth's surface, their gravitational potential energy transformed into intense heat. The mesmerizing glow emitted by the meteorites is a result of friction caused by their passage through the primitive atmosphere formed by volcanic eruptions of volatile chemicals. During this era, our celestial neighbor was much closer to Earth than it is now – an intriguing fact that adds depth to this artistic representation. It reminds us of how dynamic and ever-changing our universe truly is. This thought-provoking image serves as a testament to the powerful forces at play during our planet's formation and invites us to reflect on humanity's humble origins in comparison to such cosmic events. Science Photo Library has masterfully captured this momentous occasion in history for all enthusiasts of science and geology alike.
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