New research solves the mystery of magnetic moon rocks brought back on Apollo

Our planet has a high intensity magnetic encompassing field. This is the result of iron in liquid form that is swirling around deep inside the core.

It is, therefore, surprising to know that Moon does not have a field of this magnetic strength. The question that scientists are trying to answer is whether it had it at some point in the past, and what caused its dissipation.

The key may be hidden in the rocks that missions to the Moon brought back.

Key Takeaways:

• Minerals with iron atoms align with the magnetic fields as the rock cools.
• It is being recreated to study ancient magnetism but comparing the orientation of the atoms before and after the reheated rock.
• Some of the rocks from the Apollo shows magnetic fields while others did not. But the reasoning isn’t alien, it’s due to outdated recorders.

“Earth’s magnetic field may be nearly as old as the Earth itself – and stands in stark contrast to the Moon, which completely lacks a magnetic field today.”

Read more: https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/moon-magnetic-field

References:

• Big Think (Website)
• Insane Curiosity (YouTube Channel)