California, United States
Researchers from the United States, France and Germany have discovered that Earth’s natural satellite may have been formed as early as 4.53 billion years ago. This estimate derived from the new analysis is hundreds of millions of years earlier than previous ones.
This discovery may help in answering other questions about the Moon like why it has less metal compared to Earth and why it has fewer big impact basins than expected. The research can also provide better insights into the evolution and history of our own planet, according to the team led by geologist Francis Nimmo of the University of California Santa Cruz.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/skygazers-get-a-rare-cosmic-treat-as-cold-moon-shines-in-sky-after-19-years-784317">Skygazers get a rare cosmic treat as 'Cold Moon' shines after 19 years</a>
Earlier, it was believed that the Moon was formed after a large object, roughly the size of Mars, struck the Earth, while it was still in its formation stages about 4.35 billion years ago. However, the new research suggests it was formed much earlier and then experienced a dramatic “re-melting” at the time which was assumed for its creation.
According to the research, this re-melting event occurred due to the Earth’s and Moon’s gravitational pull tugging at each other, called a tidal force, which caused it to stretch and squish and warm the Moon drastically due to friction.
The study also explains the existence of zircon crystals, a mineral found on lunar rocks during the Apollo mission. The age of this mineral can be determined by observing the ratio of uranium to lead.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/saturns-rings-may-have-existed-since-the-solar-system-was-created-study-784694">Saturn's rings may have existed since the Solar System was created: Study</a>
The zircon crystals have been dated significantly older than the age of the Moon. While one crystal has been measured to be 4.46 billion years old, another was calculated to have formed 4.51 billion years ago.
The melting process altered the lunar surface, causing the metals to sink below and hiding the Moon’s real age, according to the study that was published in the journal Nature. This would imply that our planet has been with its natural satellite for almost its entire lifespan as it is estimated to have formed 4.54 billion years ago.
(With inputs from agencies)

This discovery may help in answering other questions about the Moon like why it has less metal compared to Earth and why it has fewer big impact basins than expected



California, United States Researchers from the United States, France and Germany have discovered that Earth’s natural satellite may have been formed as early as 4.53 billion years ago. This estimate derived from the new analysis is hundreds of millions of years earlier than previous ones. This discovery may help in answering other questions about the Moon like why it has less metal compared to Earth and why it has fewer big impact basins than expected. The research can also provide better insights into the evolution and history of our own planet, according to the team led by geologist Francis Nimmo of the University of California Santa Cruz. Also read | Skygazers get a rare cosmic treat as 'Cold Moon' shines after 19 years Earlier, it was believed that the Moon was formed after a large object, roughly the size of Mars, struck the Earth, while it was still in its formation stages about 4.35 billion years ago. However, the new research suggests it was formed much earlier and then experienced a dramatic “re-melting” at the time which was assumed for its creation. According to the research, this re-melting event occurred due to the Earth’s and Moon’s gravitational pull tugging at each other, called a tidal force, which caused it to stretch and squish and warm the Moon drastically due to friction. The study also explains the existence of zircon crystals, a mineral found on lunar rocks during the Apollo mission. The age of this mineral can be determined by observing the ratio of uranium to lead. Also read | Saturn's rings may have existed since the Solar System was created: Study The zircon crystals have been dated significantly older than the age of the Moon. While one crystal has been measured to be 4.46 billion years old, another was calculated to have formed 4.51 billion years ago. The melting process altered the lunar surface, causing the metals to sink below and hiding the Moon’s real age, according to the study that was published in the journal Nature. This would imply that our planet has been with its natural satellite for almost its entire lifespan as it is estimated to have formed 4.54 billion years ago. (With inputs from agencies)

The Moon may be much older than we thought, new study suggests

Researchers from the United States, France and Germany have discovered that Earth’s natural satellite may have been formed as early as 4.53 billion years ago. This estimate derived from the new analysis is hundreds of millions of years earlier than previous ones.

This discovery may help in answering other questions about the Moon like why it has less metal compared to Earth and why it has fewer big impact basins than expected. The research can also provide better insights into the evolution and history of our own planet, according to the team led by geologist Francis Nimmo of the University of California Santa Cruz.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/skygazers-get-a-rare-cosmic-treat-as-cold-moon-shines-in-sky-after-19-years-784317">Skygazers get a rare cosmic treat as 'Cold Moon' shines after 19 years</a>

Earlier, it was believed that the Moon was formed after a large object, roughly the size of Mars, struck the Earth, while it was still in its formation stages about 4.35 billion years ago. However, the new research suggests it was formed much earlier and then experienced a dramatic “re-melting” at the time which was assumed for its creation.

According to the research, this re-melting event occurred due to the Earth’s and Moon’s gravitational pull tugging at each other, called a tidal force, which caused it to stretch and squish and warm the Moon drastically due to friction.

The study also explains the existence of zircon crystals, a mineral found on lunar rocks during the Apollo mission. The age of this mineral can be determined by observing the ratio&nbsp;of uranium to lead.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/saturns-rings-may-have-existed-since-the-solar-system-was-created-study-784694">Saturn's rings may have existed since the Solar System was created: Study</a>

The zircon crystals have been dated significantly older than the age of the Moon. While one crystal has been measured to be 4.46 billion years old, another was calculated to have formed 4.51 billion years ago.

The melting process altered the lunar surface, causing the metals to sink below and hiding the Moon’s real age, according to the study that was published in the journal Nature. This would imply that our planet has been with its natural satellite for almost its entire lifespan as it is estimated to have formed 4.54 billion years ago.

(With inputs from agencies)

Researchers from the United States, France and Germany have discovered that Earth’s natural satellite may have been formed as early as 4.53 billion years ago. This estimate derived from the new analysis is hundreds of millions of years earlier than previous ones.

Researchers from the United States, France and Germany have discovered that Earth’s natural satellite may have been formed as early as 4.53 billion years ago. This estimate derived from the new analysis is hundreds of millions of years earlier than previous ones. This discovery may help in answering other questions about the Moon like why it has less metal compared to Earth and why it has fewer big impact basins than expected. The research can also provide better insights into the evolution and history of our own planet, according to the team led by geologist Francis Nimmo of the University of California Santa Cruz. Also read | Skygazers get a rare cosmic treat as 'Cold Moon' shines after 19 years Earlier, it was believed that the Moon was formed after a large object, roughly the size of Mars, struck the Earth, while it was still in its formation stages about 4.35 billion years ago. However, the new research suggests it was formed much earlier and then experienced a dramatic “re-melting” at the time which was assumed for its creation. According to the research, this re-melting event occurred due to the Earth’s and Moon’s gravitational pull tugging at each other, called a tidal force, which caused it to stretch and squish and warm the Moon drastically due to friction. The study also explains the existence of zircon crystals, a mineral found on lunar rocks during the Apollo mission. The age of this mineral can be determined by observing the ratio of uranium to lead. Also read | Saturn's rings may have existed since the Solar System was created: Study The zircon crystals have been dated significantly older than the age of the Moon. While one crystal has been measured to be 4.46 billion years old, another was calculated to have formed 4.51 billion years ago. The melting process altered the lunar surface, causing the metals to sink below and hiding the Moon’s real age, according to the study that was published in the journal Nature. This would imply that our planet has been with its natural satellite for almost its entire lifespan as it is estimated to have formed 4.54 billion years ago. (With inputs from agencies)

An amount of just one dollar will be given by NASA to various private space companies to collect rocks from the Moon.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Lunar Outpost was given the contract to collect samples for NASA.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-hubble-space-telescope-captures-cosmic-cinnamon-bun-344894">NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captures 'cosmic cinnamon bun'</a>

The contract was part of NASA's low-cost lunar resource collection programme for which four contracts will be awarded.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-resolves-the-mystery-of-blue-ring-nebula-reveal-stellar-missing-link-344087">NASA resolves the mystery of Blue Ring Nebula, reveal stellar missing link</a>

California-based Masten Space Systems and Tokyo-based ispace, and its European subsidiary are the other organisations that won the contract.&nbsp;

The US space agency will be paying for collections of lunar regolith, or moon soil, between 50 and 500 grams in weight, as reported by The BBC.&nbsp;

"The companies will collect the samples and then provide us with visual evidence and other data that they've been collected," a NASA spokesperson said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-nasas-dirt-cheap-deal-for-moon-dirt-347602">WATCH|</a>

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Lunar Outpost CEO Justin Cyrus told the BBC said that the contract is for a 2023 mission, but they are in talks with different lander companies, that may lead to an earlier launch date. &nbsp;

The company will be paid one dollar for bringing moon rocks from the lunar South Pole.&nbsp;

Interestingly, the amount of one dollar will also be paid in instalments, which is divided into 10 per cent when the contract is awarded, further 10 per cent when the spacecraft is launched for the project and remaining 80 per cent when the NASA verifies the rocks.&nbsp;

However, the nominal amount is not the motivation behind this program for companies.&nbsp;

The mission opens the door of extracting resources outside the earth.&nbsp;

"The innovation here is not of financial value but of creating business and legal norms of creating a market of buyers and sellers outside of Earth's constraints," said Sinead O'Sullivan, a space expert.

An amount of just one dollar will be given by NASA to various private space companies to collect rocks from the Moon. On Thursday, Lunar Outpost was given the contract to collect samples for NASA.

An amount of just one dollar will be given by NASA to various private space companies to collect rocks from the Moon. On Thursday, Lunar Outpost was given the contract to collect samples for NASA. Also read | NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captures 'cosmic cinnamon bun' The contract was part of NASA's low-cost lunar resource collection programme for which four contracts will be awarded. Also read | NASA resolves the mystery of Blue Ring Nebula, reveal stellar missing link California-based Masten Space Systems and Tokyo-based ispace, and its European subsidiary are the other organisations that won the contract. The US space agency will be paying for collections of lunar regolith, or moon soil, between 50 and 500 grams in weight, as reported by The BBC. "The companies will collect the samples and then provide us with visual evidence and other data that they've been collected," a NASA spokesperson said. WATCH| × Lunar Outpost CEO Justin Cyrus told the BBC said that the contract is for a 2023 mission, but they are in talks with different lander companies, that may lead to an earlier launch date. The company will be paid one dollar for bringing moon rocks from the lunar South Pole. Interestingly, the amount of one dollar will also be paid in instalments, which is divided into 10 per cent when the contract is awarded, further 10 per cent when the spacecraft is launched for the project and remaining 80 per cent when the NASA verifies the rocks. However, the nominal amount is not the motivation behind this program for companies. The mission opens the door of extracting resources outside the earth. "The innovation here is not of financial value but of creating business and legal norms of creating a market of buyers and sellers outside of Earth's constraints," said Sinead O'Sullivan, a space expert.

$1 for collecting moon rocks: NASA awards contract for bringing lunar samples

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