The moon may be 100 million years older than we thought

Dec 19, 2024

The moon may be 100 million years older due to tidal heating effects.

The moon may be 100 million years older than we thought

: The moon's age might be 100 million years more than previously thought, according to a study led by Francis Nimmo. This hypothesis is supported by the idea of a 'remelting' event 4.35 billion years ago, which reset the age of lunar rocks. Future tests on lunar rocks from China's Chang'e 6 mission could validate these findings, which aim to reconcile existing age estimates.

A recent study proposes that the moon may be older by 100 million years than earlier estimates. Research led by Francis Nimmo from the University of California Santa Cruz suggests that the lunar surface experienced 'remelting' about 4.35 billion years ago, resetting the age of its rocks.

This theory hinges on rare lunar zircon minerals and simulation models of planetary formation, which suggest a birth around 4.5 billion years ago. The gravitational forces exerted by Earth during the moon's early close orbit could have led to volcanic activity, explaining the apparent discrepancy in age estimates.

Upcoming lunar missions, such as China's Chang'e 6, could provide additional samples for testing this hypothesis. By examining these rocks, scientists aim to refine their understanding of the moon's history, bridging the gap between dynamicists' and geochemists' theories.