Scientists at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Arizona have analyzed new data describing the Moon’s rigidity under the influence of Earth’s and the Sun’s gravity and concluded that its mass is hardly solid at all.
Rather, the Moon’s mantle has a thick, sticky zone that ebbs and flows like our tides.
Assessed the changes in the Moon’s tides
Scientists have been nurturing the idea of the existence of this discontinuous layer for several decades, but until now the available data did not allow us to definitively say whether this layer really exists.
Under the influence of the gravitational pull of the Earth and the Sun, the Moon experiences tides, not in the sense of oceans, but in the sense of physical deformations of the Moon’s shape and gravitational field.
In this study, the team used new data from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) and NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. These measurements allowed scientists to estimate for the first time the changes in the moon’s tides from year to year.
The layer under the solid mantle – viscous?
Computer models of the nature of the rocks inside the Earth-orbiting Moon show that the layer beneath the solid mantle must be at least somewhat viscous for the numbers to match.
This raises additional questions: How did this zone come about? And what maintains its temperature? Further research will be needed to find out exactly, but the research team believes that the mineral ilmenite, which contains titanium and iron oxide, may be involved.
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#Moons #gravity #unexpected #movement #deep #beneath #surface #Business
What is the core of the Moon made of
Breaking Down the Moon’s Hidden Secrets: NASA Unveils the Lunar Core’s Sticky Truth
In a recent groundbreaking study, scientists at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, in collaboration with the University of Arizona, have made a remarkable discovery about the Moon’s interior structure. After analyzing new data on the Moon’s rigidity under the influence of Earth’s and the Sun’s gravity, the team concluded that the Moon’s mass is not as solid as previously thought. In fact, its mantle has a thick, sticky zone that behaves like our tides, experiencing ebbs and flows in response to external gravitational forces.
To better understand this phenomenon, let’s take a closer look at the Moon’s internal structure. According to NASA’s data [[1]], the Moon’s center is composed of a dense, metallic core, primarily made of iron and nickel. This core is relatively small, approximately 20% of the Moon’s radius. Surrounding the core is the mantle, which extends up to the surface, and is divided into different layers with varying compositions and properties.
The study focused on the properties of the Moon’s mantle, which has long been suspected to have a discontinuous layer with unique properties. As scientists have been exploring this idea for decades, the new data from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) and NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter finally provided the necessary evidence to confirm the existence of this layer.
Under the influence of Earth’s and the Sun’s gravitational pull, the Moon experiences tides, which are not like our ocean tides but rather physical deformations of the Moon’s shape and gravitational field. These tides have a profound effect on the Moon’s internal structure, particularly on the mantle. The study found that the Moon’s mantle has a thick, sticky zone that ebbs and flows in response to these external forces, similar to our ocean tides.
Understanding the internal structure of the Moon is crucial for planetary scientists, as it provides valuable insights into the Moon’s formation, evolution, and interactions with Earth. As we continue to explore the Moon and the vastness of space, this knowledge will enable us to better understand our celestial companion and the many mysteries that still surround it.
References:
[[1]] Composition, NASA
[[2]] Interior of the Moon, NASA Technical Reports Server
* <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InternalstructureoftheMoon”>[[3]] Internal structure of the Moon, Wikipedia
