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The Moon’s Secrets: New Discoveries Await on Lunar Surface
Editor’s note: A version of this story appeared in CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here.
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The moon, Earth’s constant celestial companion, has captured the awe and wonder of artists and writers throughout history. Not only does the moon’s gravitational pull influence our planet’s tides and day length, but it also holds many mysteries that could be unravelled with a visit to its surface.
This Saturday, sky-gazers in Europe, Africa, most of Asia, and western Australia will have the opportunity to witness a full hunter’s moon illuminating the night sky. Additionally, lucky observers will glimpse a partial lunar eclipse, where Earth’s shadow takes a “bite” out of the moon.
Recent discoveries have shed light on some of the moon’s secrets. In 1972, during the Apollo 17 mission, astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt collected rock and dust samples from the lunar surface. Unbeknownst to them, these samples provided answers about the moon’s age. Scientists detected ancient zircon crystals in the lunar dust, indicating that the moon is approximately 40 million years older than previously believed.
The moon’s origin stems from a Mars-size object colliding with Earth, resulting in a large rocky piece being flung into space and eventually orbiting our planet. Zircon crystals formed during the moon’s cooling phase 4.46 billion years ago, providing invaluable insight into its early history.
“Having tangible evidence that the rock you’re holding is the oldest part of the moon we’ve discovered so far is truly amazing,” said Jennika Greer, a research associate in Earth sciences at the University of Glasgow.
While the moon’s secrets continue to captivate us, the origins of human life remain largely mysterious. The early development of human embryos, particularly within the first month, is a significant question scientists are working to answer. Stem cell research has allowed scientists to create embryo-like structures, offering new possibilities for scientific research and women’s health. However, ethical considerations regarding the use of these structures continue to arise.
In addition to these fascinating discoveries, engineers investigating coastal erosion and flooding along England’s Isle of Wight uncovered 125 million-year-old dinosaur footprints. These footprints are believed to belong to the mantellisaurus, a herbivorous dinosaur from the early Cretaceous Period. The site serves as a remarkable connection between the challenges of climate change and a time long past.
Further exploration has revealed the ruins of a 5,000-year-old Neolithic tomb on Scotland’s Orkney Islands, containing several skeletons, including a pair seemingly embracing. These ancient artifacts provide valuable insights into our distant past.
Telescopes have observed a massive cosmic explosion known as a kilonova. This explosion, resulting from the collision of two neutron stars, released a burst of light brighter than our entire Milky Way galaxy. The aftermath of this event contained rare chemical elements such as tellurium and iodine, crucial for life on Earth.
Ice-penetrating radar has unveiled a hidden landscape beneath East Antarctica’s ice sheet. This ancient landscape, roughly the size of Belgium, formed millions of years ago with rivers, hills, and valleys. Exploring this well-preserved landscape could aid scientists in predicting the ice sheet’s future and its response to climate change.
Declassified photos captured by Cold War-era US spy satellites have recently revealed numerous Roman-era forts across Iraq and Syria. Unfortunately, many of these structures may have already been destroyed.
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