A recent study by scientists reveals new insights into the moon’s enigmatic magnetic field, using lunar rocks gathered by Apollo astronauts over 50 years ago. The University of Oxford researchers found that the moon’s magnetic field has fluctuated over time, with brief periods of intense activity surpassing Earth’s magnetic strength around three to four billion years ago.
Future Artemis missions, including one involving Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, aim to collect additional samples that could provide further understanding of the moon’s magnetic history. The Artemis II mission, initially scheduled for February, was delayed and the rocket and spacecraft were returned to NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs.
The study suggests that the moon experienced short-lived spikes of high magnetic field intensity, lasting up to 5,000 years, due to the melting of titanium-rich rocks deep within its surface. The findings, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, indicate that the moon’s magnetic field was not consistently strong as previously believed.
The Apollo samples analyzed by the researchers showed a correlation between high titanium levels and preserved evidence of intense magnetic activity. This discovery fills a gap in understanding and suggests that magnetic field strength on the moon may have fluctuated more than anticipated.
The upcoming Artemis missions plan to explore the moon’s south polar region, where ancient rocks containing valuable information about the moon’s magnetic shield and potential water ice deposits are located. Researchers emphasize the importance of studying the moon’s magnetic history for insights into planetary habitability.