Moon’s Magnetic Secret: Apollo Rocks Reveal Super-Strong Bursts
The Moon has a magnetic secret. Apollo astronauts brought rocks back decades ago. Now, scientists have a new explanation for them.It turns out the Moon had brief, super-strong magnetic bursts billions of years ago. These events were far more intense than anyone expected.
A Magnetic Mystery from Apollo Samples
For decades, lunar rocks confused researchers. Some samples showed strong magnetic signals. Others showed almost nothing at all.This inconsistency puzzled scientists. Earth has a steady magnetic field generated by its churning core. The Moon, however, seemed to lack that stability.Researchers from MIT and Oxford just solved this puzzle. They published their findings in the Journal of Geophysical Research.
How Scientists Cracked the Case
The team re-analyzed Apollo-era data. They combined it with new computer models of the lunar core.Their conclusion? The Moon generated intense, short-lived magnetic bursts. These pulses lasted only a few thousand years each.The process resembled a power surge more than a steady hum. Something similar happens inside small moons and asteroids today.
What Caused the Bursts?
The lunar core likely cooled unevenly. As it solidified, it released energy in sudden pulses. This created temporary dynamo effects.These bursts happened roughly 3 billion years ago. They explain why some rocks record strong magnetism while others don’t.”The Moon was intermittently magnetic,” said one researcher. “It turned its field on and off like a light switch.”
Why This Matters for Future Missions
Understanding the Moon’s magnetic past helps NASA plan future missions. Areas that once had magnetic fields might shield differently against solar radiation.In addition, this research reveals how small planetary bodies evolve. The Moon’s core behaved differently than Earth’s. However, it still created dramatic effects on its surface. The Apollo rocks keep giving us secrets. After fifty years, they still rewrite lunar history.
