Scientists Say Apollo 17 , Lunar Dust Reveals Moon, Is Much Older Than
Previously Thought.
'The Guardian' reports that researchers believe
they have found evidence to suggest the Moon
is 50 million years older than previously believed.
A team of scientists looked at crystals found
in lunar dust brought to Earth in 1972
as part of NASA's Apollo 17 mission. .
A team of scientists looked at crystals found
in lunar dust brought to Earth in 1972
as part of NASA's Apollo 17 mission. .
It’s amazing being able to
have proof that the rock
you’re holding is the oldest bit
of the moon we’ve found so far.
It’s an anchor point for so many
questions about the Earth. , Dr Jennika Greer, Study lead author from
the University of Glasgow, via 'The Guardian' .
When you know how old something is, you can better understand what has happened to it in its history, Dr Jennika Greer, Study lead author from
the University of Glasgow, via 'The Guardian' .
'The Guardian' reports that scientists believe
a Mars-sized body struck Earth approximately 100
million years after the formation of our solar system.
The impact is believed to have
ejected a huge mass of material
that would eventually form the moon. .
The high energy generated by the impact meant
the surface of the moon was initially molten
and later solidified as the lunar surface cooled.
The team believes that crystals analyzed in the study were
formed during this cooling process, offering researchers
a way to determine their age and the age of the Moon.
'The Guardian' reports that previous research has suggested
the moon to be approximately 4.42 billion years old,
however, crystals now may be evidence of an even older date.
This age pushes back the age of
the first preserved lunar crust by ∼
40 [million years] and provides
a minimum formation age for the
moon within 110 [million years] after
the formation of the solar system, Dr Jennika Greer, Study lead author from
the University of Glasgow, via 'The Guardian'