The Moon is rusting – thanks to 'wind' blown all the way from Earth
13 hours ago
- #Haematite
- #Moon
- #Earth wind
- Oxygen particles from Earth can turn lunar minerals into haematite (rust).
- Earth and the Moon are interconnected, with the Moon preserving a geological record of these interactions.
- During certain periods, the Moon is exposed to Earth's atmospheric particles, known as Earth wind.
- Earth wind contains ions like hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, which can trigger chemical reactions on the Moon.
- Haematite found on the Moon's poles suggests oxygen might have come from Earth's wind.
- Scientists simulated Earth wind in the lab to test the formation of haematite on lunar minerals.