Hadean Collection

Apollo 17 sample of lunar basalt. The dark areas visible on the Moon (the lunar maria) are plains of flood basaltic lava flows

Lunar meteorite DAG 262 (Dar al Gani 262) from Al Juhfra, in the Libyan Sahara. This meteorite was originally part of the Moon, being ejected into space by an impact on the Moons surface

Formation of the Earth, artwork
Formation of the Earth. Artwork showing stages in the formation of the Earth, up to the present day. The Earth formed 4.5 billion years ago

Artists concept of the formation of the solar system
This rendering suggests how the newly formed Earth and sun may have appeared shortly after the Suns heat and solar wind cleared the inner solar system of cooler gases

Artists concept showing how the surface of Earth appeared during the Hadean eon
Artists concept showing how the surface of the Earth may have appeared beneath its clouds about 500 million years after its birth, also known as the Hadean eon

Artists concept of a young, turbulent Earth
A young Earth is shrouded in turbulent, roiling clouds, while under the shadow of its night side can be seen flashes of lightning and the ruddy glow of volcanoes

Artists concept of an early Earth impact
A molten, infant Earth is impacted by an object about 10 miles in diameter, releasing 200 million times as much energy as the largest manmade explosion

Artists concept of Archean stromatolites on the shore of an ancient sea
Dome-shaped stromatolites, averaging three feet high and four feet wide, populate the shallow shore of an ancient sea 3 billion years ago

A variety of micro organisms have ventured out of the ocean and onto two volcanic
A variety of single-celled organisms have ventured out of the ocean and onto the rocky remains of two volcanic calderas, adding color to an otherwise monochromatic landscape

Formation of the Moon, artwork C016 / 5353
Formation of the Moon. Artwork of the Moon forming in the skies of a proto-Earth following the collision that led to its formation

Formation of the Moon, artwork C016 / 5352
Formation of the Moon. Artwork of a Mars-sized protoplanet (Theia) looming over a proto-Earth with which it is about to collide. This illustrates the giant impact theory of the formation of the Moon

Surface of the early Earth
An impression by Barry Evans of what the surface of the Earth may have looked like when it was very young, and still forming

Planetary formation, computer artwork
Planetary formation. Computer artwork of numerous small rocky bodies (planetessimals) accreting to form a planet in the early Solar System

Early Earth, computer artwork
Early Earth. Computer artwork of volcanic eruptions and meteorites falling on a young Earth during its formation. The Moon is seen in the sky, glowing as it is also impacted by meteorites

Formation of the Moon, artwork
Formation of the Moon. Computer artwork showing the giant impact theory of the formation of the Moon. This theory says that an object about the size of Mars (top right)

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"Hadean: Unveiling the Mysteries of Earth's Primordial Era" Intriguing artifacts from space, such as the Apollo 17 sample of lunar basalt and Lunar meteorite DAG 262, provide us with glimpses into the Hadean period - a time when our planet was still in its infancy. Through scientific exploration and artistic interpretations, we can now visualize this ancient epoch. The formation of Earth itself is beautifully portrayed in artwork depicting a scene where a solar system takes shape. This captivating image transports us back to an era when planets were just beginning to coalesce. Moving closer to home, artists' concepts vividly illustrate how the surface of our young planet appeared during the Hadean eon. A turbulent Earth emerges from these depictions, showcasing violent impacts that shaped its early landscape. Ancient Earth Impact art captures one such cataclysmic event that left lasting imprints on our world. As we delve further into this enigmatic period, artists take us on a journey through time when life was yet to flourish. Archean stromatolites grace the shores of an ancient sea in their concept art - evidence of early microbial life forms venturing out onto volcanic terrains. Microorganisms play a pivotal role during this transformative phase; they mark significant milestones in evolution by adapting and colonizing new environments. Artists capture their migration from oceans onto two volcanic structures, highlighting nature's relentless drive for survival and adaptation. The Hadean period remains shrouded in mystery but thanks to scientific discoveries and artistic renderings, we are gradually unraveling its secrets. These captivating visuals transport us back billions of years ago when our world was being formed – an awe-inspiring chapter etched forever in Earth's history books.