Lunar rocks gathered by Apollo astronauts over fifty years ago are offering new insights into the moon’s enigmatic magnetic field, as per scientists’ recent findings. Researchers from the University of Oxford in England have published a study in the journal Nature Geoscience, suggesting that the moon’s magnetic field, although historically weak, experienced brief periods of strength surpassing Earth’s magnetic activity around three to four billion years ago.
The study indicates that the moon exhibited short-lived spikes of high magnetic field intensity, lasting up to 5,000 years, possibly even just a few decades. These spikes were attributed to the melting of titanium-rich rocks deep within the moon, according to lead author Claire Nichols. Previous theories based on Apollo mission rock samples suggested prolonged strong magnetic field periods, but the new findings hint at a more dynamic magnetic history.
The upcoming Artemis program by NASA, set to launch in April, will see four astronauts, including Canadian Jeremy Hansen, embark on a crucial test flight around the moon. The Artemis II mission had faced delays, with the moon rocket and spacecraft being sent back for repairs. The Artemis astronauts will focus on exploring the moon’s south polar region, aiming to uncover more about the ancient magnetism of the moon by studying different rock samples from those collected during the Apollo missions.
Nichols and her team discovered a correlation between high titanium levels in the Apollo samples and traces of intense magnetic activity. The researchers believe that the Apollo samples, collected from titanium-rich locations due to volcanic eruptions, may not fully represent the moon’s overall composition. Future Artemis missions plan to investigate rocks near the moon’s south pole, where water ice is believed to exist in permanently shadowed craters.
The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the moon’s magnetic shield history in relation to planetary habitability, highlighting the significance of ongoing lunar exploration efforts.