Understanding the Moon's Formation

The Moon's inner core is particularly captivating because it may reveal significant information about its formation and evolution. The prevailing theory, known as the giant impact hypothesis, posits that a Mars-sized body collided with the early Earth, sending debris into orbit that ultimately coalesced to form the Moon. Despite this widely accepted theory, many aspects of the process remain elusive, making the study of the Moon’s core vital for understanding the conditions of its origin.

The Moon's unique characteristics complicate direct studies of its core. Unlike Earth, the Moon lacks a magnetic field and exhibits minimal seismic activity, necessitating the use of indirect methods for investigation. About two decades ago, scientists inferred the existence of a liquid outer core based on the Moon's rotation, yet the small size of the inner core presents additional challenges for researchers.

Mysterious Glass Beads and Water on the Moon

Recent analyses of peculiar glass beads discovered on the lunar surface suggest they may contain billions of tons of water, potentially unraveling the mystery of lunar water presence.

Insights into the Moon's Core

New research has revealed remarkable details about the Moon's core, indicating a solid composition predominantly made of iron, akin to Earth’s core. This breakthrough sheds light on the Moon’s internal structure and may clarify the presence of iron-rich materials in its crust. A team of scientists from CNRS, Université Côte d’Azur, the Côte d’Azur Observatory, Sorbonne Université, and the Paris Observatory-PSL conducted an extensive study of the Moon's deep interior, building on the foundations laid by the Apollo 11 mission over fifty years ago.

“Our findings challenge previous notions regarding the Moon’s magnetic field evolution, supporting a global mantle overturn scenario that provides valuable insights into the timeline of lunar bombardment during the first billion years of the solar system.”

~ Research Paper

The study offers promising avenues to resolve enduring questions about the Moon’s enigmatic features. By utilizing data from multiple space missions and precise laser ranging techniques, researchers have determined that the Moon's outer core rests above a solid inner core composed of metallic material with a density akin to that of iron. This inner core extends approximately 310 miles (500 kilometers) in diameter, which is about 15% of the Moon’s overall size. Furthermore, the study indicates that material in the mantle, situated between the Moon's core and crust, has been shifting throughout its evolutionary history.

Exploring the Source of Iron-Rich Materials

One potential explanation for the iron-rich elements found on the Moon's surface is a process known as ‘lunar mantle overturn.’ This phenomenon involves the upward movement of material from the core-mantle boundary, which mixes with volcanic rock in the crust. Consequently, denser materials may sink back toward the core, leading to the observed distribution of iron-rich materials on the lunar surface.

This recent research also holds the potential to clarify another mystery regarding the Moon's evolution: the nearly total loss of its once-powerful magnetic field, which was previously estimated to be 100 times stronger than that of Earth today.

The complete findings have been published in the Journal of Nature.

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