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FIZIKA A 18 (2009) 4 , 185-192
 
WHERE THE MOON WAS BORN?
ANTUN RUBČIĆ and JASNA RUBČIĆ
Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Zagreb,
Bijenička c. 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
E-mail address:
rubcic@phy.hr
Received 14 March 2009; Revised
manuscript received 26 December 2009
Accepted 30 December 2009 Online 31
December 2009
Our hypothesis is based on the distribution of approximately circular orbits
for terrestrial planets, given by the square law rn=r1 n2,
where n's are successive integers starting with n=3 for Mercury, reaching n=6
for Mars and n=8 for Ceres, and r1 is a constant. Quadratic
distribution of orbits is a direct consequence of quantized specific angular
momentum. An analysis of the planetary masses, volumes and orbital periods of
terrestrial planets, as independent observable parameters, makes possible the
statement that the orbit with n=7, between Mars and Ceres was the primordial
orbit of the Moon. This statement favours a capture theory of the Moon by the
Earth. But why the Moon abandoned its orbit and was captured by the Earth
remains a problem for further investigation.
PACS numbers: 95.10.Ce, 96.20.Br
UDC 523.3, 521.176
Keywords: terrestrial planets, quadratic distribution of orbits, planetary
masses, volumes and orbital periods, primordial orbit of the Moon, capture theory
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