Moon’s iron-like core may unlock secrets of Solar System
New research reveals that the Moon's core has a density similar to that of iron. This discovery may settle long-standing debates about the Moon's inner structure and contribute to a deeper understanding of its past, potentially providing insights into how the Solar System formed.
The studies published in "Nature" confirm that the Moon possesses a solid core with a density similar to iron. According to Science Alert, this finding concludes the years-long debate about the nature of the Moon's core.
The Moon's interior similar to Earth's
A team of scientists led by Arthur Briaud from the French National Centre for Scientific Research analyzed data from space missions and laser experiments. The results indicate the existence of a liquid outer layer and a substantial inner core, similar to Earth's. The outer core has a radius of about 225 miles, while the inner core measures about 160 miles.
Research showed that the density of the inner core is approximately 487 lbs/ft³, which closely matches the density of iron. This confirms earlier results from 2011 when a NASA team led by Renee Weber also suggested the existence of a solid core.
The future of research: What secrets does the Moon still hold?
The discovery holds significance for understanding the Moon's evolution. It is known to have once possessed a strong magnetic field, which began to diminish about 3.2 billion years ago. Movement and convection in the core are crucial for generating such a field, making the composition of the core extremely important.
Scientists hope that future missions to the Moon will provide additional data to verify these findings. The research may shed new light on the history of the Moon during the first billion years of the Solar System's existence.
