Scientists have finally unraveled the mystery behind the moon’s thin atmosphere, thanks to the analysis of lunar samples brought back by the Apollo missions in the 1960s and 70s. The atmosphere on the moon is much thinner than that of Earth, and experts initially believed it was a result of space weathering of the moon’s surface. However, a recent study led by Dr. Nicole Nie from MIT’s department of Earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences has shed light on the major player in the creation of the lunar atmosphere – meteorite impacts.
The research, published in the journal Science Advances, explains that the moon’s atmosphere needs constant replenishment because its atoms are continuously lost to space due to the moon’s weak gravity. Ultraviolet photons from the sun can release these atoms, but the primary source of replenishment is believed to be the release of atoms from within lunar minerals through vaporization by meteorite impacts or solar wind sputtering.
By studying the different forms of potassium and rubidium isotopes in lunar soil samples from the Apollo missions, the researchers were able to determine that about 70% of the moon’s atmosphere is a result of impact vaporization, while 30% is due to solar wind sputtering. This finding provides a clearer understanding of how the moon’s surface and atmosphere interact over long periods, enhancing our knowledge of space weathering processes.
Dr. Simeon Barber, a senior research fellow at the Open University, praised the study as another crucial piece in the puzzle of understanding lunar bodies. He emphasized the importance of studying how thin atmospheres form on moons and small planets to comprehend the diversity of these celestial bodies. Barber suggested that future research should focus on visiting new locations with spacecraft, collecting measurements, and returning samples to Earth for further analysis. Moons like Phobos and Deimos, the moons of Mars, present fascinating opportunities for similar studies in the future.
In conclusion, the study’s findings have provided valuable insights into the mechanisms behind the moon’s thin atmosphere, highlighting the significant role of meteorite impacts in shaping the lunar environment. This research not only contributes to our understanding of the moon but also offers a pathway for exploring other moons and small planets in our solar system to unravel their mysteries.
