Follow
To understand the structure and origins of the moon a more detailed research is required. Scientists say that if they want to understand the mysteries of the moon’s magnetic field, they must conduct a thorough analysis.
According to experts one of the factors that allow life to exist on the surface of a planet is the magnetic shield that protects against harmful solar particles. Life on a planet could not exist if the magnetic field is not strong enough.
Scientists have analyzed the first rocks, brought back by the crew of the Apollo during their first moon landing, and they unraveled the magnetic properties of those rocks. Experts which analyzed the rocks brought back from the moon have yet to discover if the magnetic properties they discovered are present because of the fact that the moon has it’s own magnetic field or they are just a cause of a imprinted magnetic signature of another planet.
Recent studies regarding these rocks revealed that the moon indeed had it’s own magnetic field which was the product of a core dynamo inside Earth’s natural satellite. Even more, the magnetic field of the moon has been active for over a billion years, until about 3.5 billion years ago when it ended.
Experts were surprised to find out that the moon’s magnetic field was significantly stronger than Earth’s field today. Though the research conducted in this matter does not indicate why the magnetic field ceased to function, its size indicated that the moon had a dynamo system similar to Earth’s.
Since scientists no longer debate whether the moon had a core dynamo, they now seek clues about how the magnetic field existed for billions of years. A valid theory about this matter is that the moon was a result of the asteroid the size of Mars that collided with early Earth. However, experts argue that it is highly unlikely that the heat generated by the impact could have caused the moon’s core to function as long as the magnetic field has lasted.
Scientists theorize that the moon’s magnetic field could have been powered in the same manner to that of Earth’s. Another theory is that the gravitational pull of the Earth caused the moon to contra-rotate and power its core.
Weiss’s theory suggests that simply discovering the reason why the dynamo of the moon switched off would lead to understanding how it was powered. Experts say that breakthrough in this matter could also help discover life on other planets. All said, the origin of the moon and its dynamo core still remain a mystery to mankind, for now.
