Tiamat And Planet

Ed Bradley

2 min read

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03-12-2024

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The story of our solar system's formation is a dramatic one, filled with collisions, gravitational dances, and the raw power of creation. Central to this narrative is the hypothetical planet Tiamat, a celestial body mentioned in ancient Babylonian mythology but also a key player in some modern theories of planetary formation. While the existence of Tiamat as described in mythology is debated, its role in scientific models provides a fascinating lens through which to understand the early solar system.

Tiamat in Mythology: A Serpent of Chaos

In the Babylonian creation epic Enûma Eliš, Tiamat is a primordial goddess of saltwater, chaos, and the sea. Depicted as a monstrous serpent, she represents the formless void from which the universe emerged. Her defeat by the god Marduk, who subsequently uses her body to create the heavens and Earth, is a cornerstone of the myth. The association of Tiamat with the creation of the Earth is intriguing, especially considering some scientific theories that posit a similar role for a planetary body of the same name.

Tiamat in Scientific Theories: A Collisional Past

Some scientific models propose that a Mars-sized protoplanet, called Tiamat (drawing inspiration from the mythological figure), existed in the early solar system between Mars and Jupiter. According to this hypothesis, a collision between Tiamat and another large protoplanet, potentially one of the many planetesimals that existed during this era, led to the formation of the asteroid belt and significantly altered the composition and trajectory of the inner solar system.

The Evidence and Debate:

The evidence for Tiamat's existence is not direct. It's derived from indirect observations and simulations:

• Asteroid Belt Composition: The diverse composition and distribution of asteroids in the asteroid belt could be explained by the debris from such a colossal collision.
• Angular Momentum of the Planets: The observed angular momentum of the planets might be better explained by a scenario involving a large impact than current models.
• Isotopic Anomalies: Certain isotopic anomalies found in meteorites hint at different origins, potentially indicating material from different protoplanets involved in a major collision.

However, it's crucial to acknowledge that these are not conclusive proofs. Other models of planetary formation do not require the existence of a large protoplanet like Tiamat to explain the current structure of our solar system. The debate continues, and ongoing research continues to refine our understanding of the early solar system.

Conclusion: Myth and Science Converge

The concept of Tiamat, both in mythology and in scientific theories, highlights the enduring human fascination with our origins. Whether a giant, primordial serpent or a Mars-sized protoplanet, the name Tiamat evokes a powerful image of creation and destruction, reminding us of the violent and dynamic processes that shaped the solar system we inhabit today. While the existence of the scientific Tiamat remains a compelling but unproven hypothesis, its study provides valuable insights into the intricacies of planetary formation and the dramatic history of our solar system.