/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/HZL7TSZ7VZOQVKZX4DVJHKR7HQ.jpg "Unveiling the Secrets of the Moon: Age Uncovered in 1972 Lunar Rock Acquired by Apollo 17 Astronaut")
The Moon is Older Than Previously Thought, Reveals New Study
By Will Dunham
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A recent study has revealed that the moon is about 40 million years older than previously believed, shedding new light on its formation and the age of Earth’s celestial partner.
The study, based on analyses of crystals found in a rock fragment collected during the 1972 Apollo 17 mission, indicates that the moon formed more than 4.46 billion years ago, within 110 million years after the birth of the solar system. This contradicts previous estimates.
The prevailing hypothesis suggests that the moon formed after a Mars-sized object called Theia collided with a young Earth. This collision caused magma to be ejected into space, eventually forming the moon. However, the exact timing of this event has been difficult to determine.
The recent study used a method called atom probe tomography to examine zircon crystals found within a rock sample collected by astronaut Harrison Schmitt. The zircon crystals, which formed after the magma cooled, provided researchers with valuable insights into the moon’s formation.
“I love the fact that this study was done on a sample that was collected and brought to Earth 51 years ago. At that time, atom probe tomography wasn’t developed yet and scientists wouldn’t have imagined the types of analyses we do today,” said Philipp Heck, senior director of research at the Field Museum in Chicago and senior author of the study.
Interestingly, zircon crystals are the oldest minerals found on Earth, Mars, and the moon. These crystals have proven to be a valuable source of information about the formation and age of celestial bodies.
The rock fragment containing the zircon crystals was collected in the Taurus-Littrow valley on the moon’s surface and has been stored at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
“Zircons are very hard and tough and survive the breakdown of rocks during weathering,” explained Heck.
Earlier this year, another study led by scientist Bidong Zhang used a technique called ion microprobe analysis to determine the age of the zircon crystals. However, the recent study sought to confirm these findings using atom probe tomography, which provided further validation.
Jennika Greer, a cosmochemist at the University of Glasgow and lead author of the recent study, emphasized the significance of the nanoscale analysis: “I see this as a great example of what the nanoscale, or even atomic scale, can tell us about big-picture questions.”
The moon plays a crucial role in stabilizing Earth’s axis and climate. Its gravitational pull affects Earth’s rotation and has helped shape the planet’s ecosystems. Furthermore, the moon has been a source of inspiration for human cultures and space exploration.
According to Zhang, “The moon’s gravitational pulls help shape the ocean’s ecosystem. The moon is inspirational to human cultures and explorations. And NASA and other space agencies see the moon as a steppingstone for future deep-space explorations.”
The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the moon’s formation and its impact on Earth. Understanding the moon’s history is crucial for our understanding of the solar system and our place within it.
This article was originally published by Reuters. To acquire licensing rights for this content, please visit Reuters.com.
