Second Moon 地球或許曾有兩個(gè)月亮
Second Moon 地球或許曾有兩個(gè)月亮
By Matt McGrath, BBC News
The theory might explain the type of terrain seen today on the surface of the Moon
媒體英語會(huì)帶大家一起學(xué)習(xí) BBC 撰稿人在報(bào)道世界大事時(shí)常用到的單詞和短語。
Background: 科學(xué)雜志《自然》上的一項(xiàng)新的研究報(bào)告認(rèn)為地球可能曾經(jīng)擁兩個(gè)月亮，不過在天體碰撞后，比較小的一個(gè)消失了。科研人員認(rèn)為，碰撞過程可能相當(dāng)緩慢導(dǎo)致月球上出現(xiàn)了鮮為人見的凹凸不平的高地結(jié)構(gòu)。
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This new theory builds on the idea that around four billion years ago the Earth was struck by a Mars-like planet, but instead of the smash producing enough debris for one moon, this paper argues there was enough for two.
This small second moon become stuck in a gravitational tug of war between the Earth and its much larger sibling. After millions of years in this position the new moon was drawn into a collision at a speed of less than three kilometres per second.
The scientists say this slow paced crash may have caused a build up of material and the formation of highlands on the Moon's far side.
For decades scientists have been trying to understand why the visible near side of the Moon is covered in craters while the far side has mountain ranges higher than 3,000 metres.
The researchers hope that Nasa observational missions might prove this new theory within a year.
Glossary 詞匯表 (收聽發(fā)音, 請單擊英語單詞)
- to be struck by被撞擊
- a smash 沖擊
- debris碎片；廢墟
- a paper 學(xué)術(shù)文章報(bào)告
- to become stuck被阻無法移動(dòng)
- a gravitational tug of war天體碰撞
- a sibling姊妹（類似天體）
- slow paced慢速
- the far side遠(yuǎn)處
- crater火山口
