For centuries, scientists have believed that the moon is around 4.5 billion years old, though there has been much debate over this estimate. Recently, research conducted using a rock collected by the Apollo 17 astronauts has revealed the moon’s true age.
The moon, which only has one side visible from Earth, was first visited by humans in 1969 with the Apollo 11 mission. It wasn’t until the Apollo 17 mission three years later that the astronauts were able to collect samples of lunar rocks to bring back to Earth. The rock, known as sample 14321, was one of the many samples collected by the astronauts and has been studied for decades since.
Using sophisticated equipment called atom probe tomography, scientists have been able to uncover some of the secrets of sample 14321, such as a network of pockets containing radioactive uranium and lead atoms. Based on the way these atoms were entwined, they were able to calculate the age of the rock.
The findings of the study suggest that the moon is around 4.51 billion years old, just slightly older than the previous estimate of 4.5 billion years. While this is the oldest age ever calculated for the moon, it is still relatively young in comparison to the age of the Earth, which is estimated to be around 4.54 billion years old.
This research is significant, as it reveals vital information about the moon’s age which has been debated for centuries. The findings provide an accurate date for the start of the moon’s formation and could lead to a better understanding of its evolution over billions of years.
The rock collected by the Apollo 17 astronauts has been a priceless source of information, and opens up possibilities for further investigations to uncover more mysteries of the moon. Scientists are looking forward to the next lunar mission in order to continue their research and unlock further mysteries of the moon’s evolution.