For years there has been speculation about the composition of the Moon’s core. Although the unsubstantiated theories were dismissed, a deeper debate about the interior structure of the Moon has continued. However, new research results seem to shed new light on this lunar mystery.
Contrary to previous stories, after an exhaustive study, results published in May revealed that the Moon’s core is very similar to Earth’s, with a solid inner structure that has a density similar to iron.
“This discovery helps resolve a long-standing debate,” said Arthur Briaud of France’s National Center for Scientific Research. The nature of the Moon’s “heart,” whether molten or solid, holds the key to unlocking the history of the Moon and, by extension, the chronicles of the Solar System.
Briaud and the team he leads emphasized the importance of this discovery, writes the scientific journal Nature .
“Our results challenge the evolution of the Moon’s magnetic field by clearly demonstrating the existence of a core, providing important insight into the timeline of lunar events during the early Solar System,” he added.
Staring into the depths
The interior of celestial bodies can best be understood through seismic data. Earthquakes produce acoustic beams that, after interacting with internal materials, provide insight into the core of the object.
Data from the Apollo mission were also used, but their limited resolution presented challenges in determining the state of the inner core. Both solid and fluid models of the core appeared plausible through the Apollo observations.
With a meticulous approach, Briaud and his team updated data from various lunar missions and laser experiments. They then compared this data to various underlying models to determine the most accurate representation.
Known Core
Meticulous research revealed intriguing insights. They found active sliding deep inside the moon, suggesting that denser materials sink while lighter ones rise. This inversion theory, which explains the specific elements of the volcanic region on the Moon, is now gaining more ground.
Furthermore, they determined that the Moon’s core is very similar to Earth’s, consisting of a liquid outer layer and a solid inner core. The densities they found are surprisingly close to iron, writes Curiosmos.
Interestingly, a 2011 study led by Renee Weber of NASA reached a similar conclusion using advanced seismological techniques. Briaud’s team believes their results reinforce those earlier findings, making a compelling case for an Earth-like lunar core.
Understanding the Moon’s core has implications for its magnetic history. It is known that the Moon once had a strong magnetic field, which began to decline about 3.2 billion years ago. New findings may shed light on the reasons for the decline. As humans prepare for another visit to the Moon, the chances of seismically confirming these conclusions may be “just around the corner.” /Telegraph