A comprehensive study published in May 2023 has unveiled that the Moon’s inner core is, contrary to previous theories, not entirely liquid. Instead, it consists of a solid ball with a density comparable to iron.
This finding has significant implications for our understanding of the Moon’s magnetic field evolution and its history. Researchers believe it will provide valuable insights into the formation and dynamics of the Solar System.
Determining the composition of celestial bodies within our Solar System is primarily achieved through seismic data analysis. Seismic waves generated by quakes provide crucial information about the interior structure of planets and moons.
Despite having lunar seismic data collected during the Apollo mission, its low resolution hindered the precise characterization of the inner core. Therefore, researchers relied on data from various space missions and experiments to construct a comprehensive profile of the Moon’s characteristics.
Their modeling revealed that the Moon’s interior is highly dynamic, with denser material sinking towards the center and less dense material rising upwards. This activity aligns with previous theories explaining volcanic regions on the Moon.
Additionally, the study suggests that the lunar core closely resembles that of Earth, comprising a fluid outer layer and a solid inner core. Their modeling estimates the outer core’s radius at approximately 362 kilometers and the inner core’s radius at around 258 kilometers, constituting about 15 percent of the Moon’s total radius.
The inner core’s density is estimated to be approximately 7,822 kilograms per cubic meter, comparable to the density of iron. Notably, previous research led by NASA planetary scientist Renee Weber in 2011 yielded similar results using advanced seismological techniques.
These findings provide strong evidence for an Earth-like lunar core, which potentially influences the Moon’s magnetic field evolution. As humans plan to return to the Moon, we may soon obtain seismic verification of these intriguing discoveries through future missions.
