NASA’s GRAIL Mission
Recent findings from NASA’s GRAIL mission have revealed differences between the Moon’s two hemispheres. The study indicates that the nearside of the Moon, which faces Earth, is geologically distinct from the far side. This discovery sheds light on the Moon’s formation and internal structure.
GRAIL Mission
The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission aimed to map the Moon’s gravitational field. Launched in 2011, it consisted of two twin spacecraft named Ebb and Flow. They orbited the Moon and collected data on its gravity by measuring the distance between them. This innovative technique provided unprecedented vital information about the Moon’s interior.
Differences Between the Nearside and Farside
The nearside features large, dark plains known as “mare,” formed from ancient volcanic activity. In contrast, the far side is rugged and mountainous. The nearside’s mantle is warmer due to the accumulation of radioactive elements like thorium and titanium, which generate heat as they decay.
The Moon’s Interior Structure
The Moon’s mantle constitutes about 80% of its mass and contains minerals similar to those found in Earth’s mantle. GRAIL’s data revealed that the nearside’s mantle is 100 to 200°C hotter than the farside. This temperature difference is attributed to the Moon’s volcanic history and the gravitational influence of Earth.
Tidal Deformation and Its Effects
Tidal deformation occurs due to the gravitational pull of Earth on the Moon. This effect causes differences in the Moon’s shape and behaviour during its orbit. The gravitational mapping from GRAIL supports the idea that ancient volcanic activity influenced the current geological features observed .
Discovery of Lunar Mascons
GRAIL also identified mass concentrations, or mascons, beneath the Moon’s surface. These areas exhibit strong gravitational pull and are remnants of ancient asteroid impacts. About mascons helps scientists comprehend the geological history of the Moon and its impacts on other celestial bodies.
Educational Outreach and Legacy
The GRAIL mission included educational components such as MoonKAM, which allowed students to capture images of the Moon. This initiative aimed to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. The mission concluded with the intentional impact of Ebb and Flow on the lunar surface in December 2012.
| Related | |
|---|---|
