Researchers Uncover the Makeup of the Moon’s Core
For many years, researchers have pondered what lies beneath the Moon’s dusty exterior. Recently, fresh studies have yielded some of the most compelling evidence to date regarding the Moon’s interior.
By utilizing information from lunar laser-ranging experiments and different space missions, a group of scientists created a comprehensive model of the Moon’s inner structure. Their results indicate a stratified configuration, featuring a molten outer core encasing a solid inner core. This inner core seems to possess a density comparable to that of iron, suggesting that the Moon’s center is a metallic sphere rather than a liquid mass or entirely solid ball.
This revelation aids in addressing a long-standing scientific enigma. Past research, inclusive of seismic data from the Apollo missions, alluded to a complex core, yet the clarity was insufficient to resolve the discussion. However, with this new study, researchers have gained a clearer understanding of the Moon’s insides, reinforcing the notion that the Moon once had an active interior capable of producing a magnetic field.
That primordial magnetic field, which disappeared about 3.2 billion years ago, may have been formed by activity within the Moon’s molten layers. The fresh findings also support the hypothesis of “mantle overturn,” where denser materials within the Moon descend while lighter ones rise. This could clarify why certain elements are found in volcanic areas on the surface.
These outcomes additionally confirm earlier assessments made in 2011, creating a rare instance of scientific validation across independent research. Both studies observed comparable core sizes and density, indicating a common structure between Earth and its satellite.
Understanding what is contained within the Moon is crucial for grasping its formation, development, and potential future behavior. With anticipated human missions to the Moon in the near future, seismic instruments and sophisticated sensors might soon yield even more precise measurements to bolster these discoveries.
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