Discovering the Moon’s Solid Core: NASA’s Insights on Lunar Composition and Why We Haven’t Returned
- A study published in May 2023 shows that the Moon has a solid inner core.
- Researchers found that the Moon's inner structure resembles iron.
- Scientists use acoustic waves from lunar earthquakes to map the Moon’s interior.
The Moon’s Inner Core: Findings and NASA’s Insights
A study published in May 2023 shows that the Moon has a solid inner core. Researchers investigated whether this core is solid or molten. The study aims to improve our understanding of the Moon and our Solar System.
NASA’s Explanation for Not Returning to the Moon
Researchers found that the Moon’s inner structure resembles iron. This discovery could change our understanding of the Moon’s history. Arthur Briaud, an astronomer from the French National Center for Scientific Research, led the research team. The team emphasized that their results indicate an inner core exists, impacting the evolution of the Moon’s magnetic field.
Scientists use acoustic waves from lunar earthquakes to map the Moon’s interior. Although seismic data from the Apollo missions exists, it lacks the resolution needed to pinpoint the inner core’s state. According to Science Alert, while a liquid outer core exists, the exact composition of the core remains uncertain.
Research Findings
Briaud and his team gathered data from lunar missions and laser experiments. They analyzed the Moon’s features and gravitational interactions with Earth. The team ran simulations using various materials to match observational data. Their findings revealed active movements in the Moon’s mantle, where denser materials sink while lighter materials rise. This explains the existence of certain elements in volcanoes on the Moon.
The research concluded that the lunar core resembles Earth’s core, with a liquid outer layer and a solid inner core.
NASA’s Discoveries
In 2011, NASA teams, led by planetary scientist Renee Weber, used seismological techniques on Apollo data. They found the Moon’s outer core is about 362 kilometers wide. The inner core measures around 258 kilometers across. The inner core has a density of 7,822 kilograms per cubic meter, while the solid inner part has a density of about 8,000 kilograms per cubic meter.
NASA stated that the Moon’s interior does not contain unknown materials, allowing for easier study. The Moon had a strong magnetic field post-formation, which faded around 3.2 billion years ago.
With humanity aiming to return to the Moon soon, seismic verification of these findings may happen in the near future.