What mythological figure inspired the name of the impactor Theia?
Answer
The Titaness mother of Selene, the goddess of the Moon
The hypothetical body believed to have struck the proto-Earth, which subsequently led to the formation of the Moon, was designated Theia. This naming convention was deliberately chosen by borrowing from Greek mythology. Specifically, Theia refers to the Titaness who held a significant place in the pantheon as the mother of Selene, who personified the Moon. This choice provides a direct mythological link to the resulting satellite, even though Theia itself was never directly observed and remains purely a construct of scientific models designed to explain the impact event.
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