经典碰撞模型是目前解释月球形成过程的最广为接受的假说,其要求一个约火星大小的撞击体Theia与吸积最后阶段的原始地球相撞,且月球主要来自撞击体Theia。然而关于撞击体对于月球质量贡献的百分比仍缺乏精确的制约。该研究采用地幔橄榄岩和科马提岩的高精度测量数据,用于重新评估硅酸盐全地球(BSE)的V同位素组成,相比之前的研究,新的数据表明δ51VBSE=-0.91‰±0.02‰ (2SE, n=18)。将其重新代入到地月双组分混合模型中,考虑了一个包含撞击前(原地球、Theia)和撞击后(地球、月球、逸出物质)成分的系统,得出现今月球中Theia的质量分数的最佳估计为MTheia=0.8*MMars时的73%到MTheia=0.45*MEarth时的83%。这与先前的研究相比,降低了对Theia在月球形成中的贡献度约5%。这一结果为经典碰撞模型提供了更可靠的参数,有助于深化对月球形成过程的理解。
The classic giant impact model is currently the most widely accepted hypothesis for explaining the lunar formation process. It posits a collision between a proto-Earth in its late accretion stage and a Mars-sized impactor named Theia. According to this model, the majority of the Moon’s material is derived from Theia. However, there is still a lack of precise constraints on the contribution percentage of the impactor to the lunar mass. In this study, high-precision measurements of mantle peridotites and komatiites are employed to reevaluate the V isotope composition of the Bulk Silicate Earth (BSE). Unlike previous studies, the new data indicate δ51VBSE=-0.91±0.02‰(2SE, n=18). We incorporated this into a two-component mixing model for the Earth-Moon system, considering a system with pre-impact (proto-Earth, Theia) and post-impact (Earth, Moon, escaping mass) components. The best estimate for the mass fraction of Theia in the present Moon ranges from 73% for MTheia=0.8MMars to 83% for MTheia=0.45MEarth This represents a reduction of approximately 5% in Theia’s contribution compared to earlier studies. These findings provide more reliable parameters for the classic collision model, contributing to a deeper understanding of the lunar formation process.