We are very sorry to inform you that the Moon it's not made of cheese! Science is moving toward new answers about our Solar System, and maybe those answers aren't what we thought. New discoveries reveal that the Moon's inner core is a solid sphere with a density similar to that of iron. You didn `t see it coming!
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This important revelation has the potential to end a long-running debate about the nature of the lunar core, whether it is solid or molten, and promises to provide a more accurate understanding of the history of the Moon and Solar System as one all.
The team led by astronomer Arthur Briaud, from the French National Center for Scientific Research in France, reported the case:
“Our results call into question the evolution of the Moon's magnetic field thanks to its demonstration of the existence of the inner core and support a global turnover of the mantle. This scenario provides substantial information about the timeline of lunar bombardment in the Solar System's first billion years," the researchers said.
How was the discovery made?
Probing the interior composition of objects in the Solar System is improved through seismic data, revealing valuable information for science.
By analyzing how acoustic waves generated by earthquakes propagate and reflect in materials present on planets and moons, scientists are able to create detailed maps of the interior of these bodies heavenly.
This method allows a more accurate understanding of the structure and composition of objects, contributing to the advancement of knowledge about the Solar System.
It is also true that the lunar seismic data collected by the Apollo mission has been a valuable source of information about the internal structure of the Moon. However, due to the low resolution of these data, there is still debate regarding the nature of the lunar inner core.
While we know there is a fluid outer core, what surrounds it remains unclear. Models that assume a solid inner core and others that assume a fully fluid core are equally consistent with the Apollo data.
Therefore, research continues to seek more evidence and information to accurately determine the nature of the lunar inner core.
What is the interior of the Moon made of?
To gain a more complete and definitive understanding of the Moon's internal structure, the team led by Briaud and his colleagues used a combination of data from space missions and laser experiments in the Moon.
This data was crucial in compiling a detailed profile of several lunar features, which include the lunar deformation caused by gravitational interaction with the Earth, variations in the distance between the Moon and the Earth.
The research carried out by the team led by Briaud brought significant findings. One is the observation of an active turnover process in the deep layers of the lunar mantle.
This turnaround consists of the upward movement of less dense material and the downward movement of denser material towards the center of the Moon.
This activity is a possible explanation for the presence of certain elements found in volcanic regions on the Moon.
The research results revealed that the lunar core is surprisingly similar to the Earth's core. It consists of a fluid outer layer and a solid inner core.
According to the models, the outer core of the Moon has an approximate radius of 362 kilometers, while the inner core has a radius of about 258 kilometers. This central structure accounts for approximately 15% of the Moon's total radius.
The results obtained by Briaud's team confirm previous findings and provide solid evidence in support of the existence of an Earth-like lunar core.
These discoveries have significant implications for understanding the evolution of the Moon. If one day man returns to the Moon, we will have much more complete answers about it, in addition to the fact that the seismic verification is getting closer and closer to completion.
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