California Institute of Technology scientists have put forth a fascinating theory, suggesting that the remnants of the ancient planet that collided with Earth billions of years ago may still exist within our planet, playing a pivotal role in the formation of the Moon.

The widely accepted giant-impact hypothesis proposes that a primordial planet collided with the early Earth during its formation, resulting in the formation of the Moon. This theory provides explanations for numerous fundamental aspects of both the Earth and the Moon. Yet, it has left a lingering enigma: What became of Theia, the mysterious planet that played a vital role in this cosmic collision? There has been a lack of direct evidence confirming the existence of Theia, as no residual fragments of this celestial body have been discovered within our solar system. Moreover, many scientists have assumed that any remnants of Theia on Earth would have melded into our planet’s molten core.

A recent theory, however, has suggested that parts of this ancient planet may still be preserved, hidden beneath the Earth’s surface.

This hypothesis stems from the detection of a particular type of material dating back to the 1980s. This material, discovered beneath substantial regions of Africa and the Pacific Ocean, remained unidentified for decades. It is characterized by its exceptional density, found near the Earth’s core, and is believed to possess a high iron content, resulting in distinctive seismic wave reactions compared to the surrounding solid materials.

These findings could potentially provide a groundbreaking perspective on the events that led to the formation of the Moon and the ongoing mysteries surrounding the ancient planetary collision.