A testable gravitational capture model for the origin of the Earth's Moon

A gravitational capture model is proposed to explain lunar evolution. The model is divided into five orbital eras. In the first era, it is postulated that the pre-capture Moon formed as a small planetary unit on the inner edge of the Asteroid Zone. Orbital era 2 commenced when the Moon's orbit became Earth-crossing. As the Moon underwent periodic gravitational encounters with Earth in a near Earth orbit (orbital era 3), the lunar body because warmer and thus more easily capture. Era 4 saw the Moon inserted into a geocentric orbit that gradually became more circular. Following orbital circulation, the lunar orbit gradually expanded to its present dimensions (era 5).