New research raises doubts about the formation of the Moon

After discovering the amount of carbon emissions emanating from all over the lunar surface, a new study could rewrite experts' insights about the formation of the Moon.

Scientists have believed that the Moon is completely free of volatile elements, but new research has found carbon ions escaping from most of the Moon's surface. The moon is thought to have formed 4.5 billion years ago, when a newborn planet about the size of Mars - called Theia - touched the Earth with a swipe at a 45 degree angle.

As a result, Theia and the Earth's masses gathered in Earth's orbit, eventually forming the Moon. In that scenario, the heat generated by the collision could be well above 5,000 degrees Celsius - hot enough for all the elements to evaporate.

However, analysis from the spacecraft of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) found carbon ions escaping from the lunar surface , causing the collision theory to be disputed. Comment. These findings suggest that temperatures are not as high as previously thought, meaning the impact model needs to be revised.

The moon is thought to have formed 4.5 billion years ago, when a newborn planet about the size of Mars - called Theia - touched the Earth with a swipe.

A study from JAXA said: 'Carbon is a volatile element, which has a significant effect on the formation and evolution of planets, although it was previously thought to have been exhausted. Moon'. These emissions are distributed almost throughout the lunar surface, but in different geographical areas the emissions are also different. "

The team's estimates prove that 'native' carbon exists throughout the Moon, supporting the hypothesis of a moon containing carbon, where carbon was ingrained during the formation of the Moon and / or was transferred to the Moon billions of years ago.

It would be useful to further assess the amount of initial volatiles on the Moon, (for example, future isotope analyzes of C + emissions from the lunar surface), to provide quantitative estimates. about the mass balance of 'native' carbon, solar wind, and cosmic dust.

The timeline landed on the moon.

Since 1972, NASA for the first time expected to bring humans to life on the Moon. The space agency has decided that it has not yet completed its work on the moon, and wants to establish a permanent base on the Moon, in the hope that these missions will take place in 2024.

NASA manager Jim Bridenstine has announced that he wants to set up a lunar base, and has asked the industry's best and brightest to help design and develop "the ship." the base will be used as a checkpoint between the Earth and Mars, and will allow astronauts to study the Moon in detail.

• History of the Moon
• New hypothesis about the origin of the moon