In 2024, something happened on the Moon. Here are the most important discoveries

In 2024, something happened on the Moon. Here are the most important discoveries

2024 was full of research, simulations and analyzes regarding our natural satellite. It is worth recalling the most important of them before we enter 2025.

The Moon has always been of interest to scientists. It is also the closest celestial body to us and the only natural satellite of the Earth. In addition, the most important goals of the largest space agencies currently concern the Moon. NASA and China plan to return humans to the surface of the Silver Globe, and eventually even build special research stations on the Moon. A relatively new player, India, also has considerable space ambitions.

All this only fuels scientists’ interest in the Moon. Many simulations, studies and analyzes were carried out in 2024 that could provide us with additional knowledge about our only natural satellite.

The moon is older than previously thought

Research published in the journal Nature by a team led by Francis Nimmo from the University of California, Santa Cruz, shows that the Moon may be older than previously thought. According to the new findings, it was formed about 4.51 billion years ago, which means it is more than 100 million years older than previous estimates. This age revision is the result of analysis of minerals such as zircon and observations of tidal heating processes that may have distorted the Moon’s original structure.

Earth’s mini-moons: temporary companions

The Moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth, but is it really? In 2024, it was temporarily joined by another “mini-moon”. From September 29 to November 25, 2024, the Earth had two natural satellites. In addition to the Moon, orbiting our planet was the asteroid 2024 PT5 with a diameter of about 10 meters, referred to as a “minimoon”. This phenomenon is rare and results from the capture of objects from the NEO (Near-Earth Objects) group by Earth’s gravity.

A prototype of a vehicle that could possibly be used by astronauts on the Moon was presented.

Another important discovery was the results of simulations, which explained the mystery of the unusual distribution of titanium-rich rocks on the Moon. According to researchers, during the early phase of the Moon’s existence, dense minerals such as ilmenite moved from deeper layers to the surface due to meteorite impacts and then sank back into the depths. This process, known as “plate cascade”, explains the presence of titanium-rich rocks in the Earth-facing hemisphere.

Chinese discoveries about the Moon

In 2024, China was not idle, as evidenced by the results of its latest research and analyses. In 2020, CNSA conducted the Chang’e 5 mission to collect regolith samples from the lunar surface. The probe collected 2 kg of material, including samples from a depth of 2 meters, which allowed for detailed geological research, the results of which were made available this year. Analysis of these samples revealed that volcanic activity on the Moon may have lasted much longer than previously thought. The samples collected by Chang’e 5 contained tiny glass beads that were created during volcanic eruptions about 123 million years ago. This discovery suggests that volcanic activity on the Silver Globe may have continued long after what was previously thought to be the end of volcanism (between 3 and 3.8 billion years ago). The research results lead to the need to revise the theory about the thermal evolution of the Moon.

The next step in exploration was the Chang’e 6 mission, which for the first time collected samples from the far side of the Moon. Analysis of basalts dating to 2.8 billion years ago has provided evidence of an unexpected revival of the lunar magnetic field during this period.

Paleomagnetic studies conducted showed that the intensity of the magnetic field ranged from 5 to 21 microtesla, which indicates a more complex geological history of the Moon. The revival of the magnetic field could be driven by processes such as core crystallization, the existence of a basalt ocean or precession forces. These mechanisms could have kept the Silver Globe geologically active for much longer than previously thought.

Source: antyweb.pl