Once upon a time, in the early solar system, a young planet named Theia roamed the cosmos. Theia was about the size of Mars and was filled with molten rock and swirling gases. One day, as she traveled through space, she drew too close to another young planet—Earth.

Their paths collided in a spectacular explosion, sending debris flying in all directions. This event, known as the Giant Impact Hypothesis, melted parts of both planets, creating a cloud of rock and metal that orbited Earth. Over time, gravity took hold, pulling this debris together.

From the chaos, a new celestial body began to form—the Moon. As it cooled, its surface became rugged and cratered, marked by the scars of countless impacts. Some areas, known as the highlands, became ancient and rough, while the dark, flat plains called Maria formed from volcanic activity.