Daily Current Affairs : 31-October-2023
In a groundbreaking revelation, scientists have unveiled new insights into the moon’s age, challenging previous assumptions. This significant discovery, based on advanced technology and meticulous analysis, has reshaped our understanding of the moon’s formation and its relation to Earth.
Key Findings
- The recent study indicates that the moon is approximately 40 million years older than previously believed, dating back around 4.46 billion years (GA).
- This revelation places the moon’s formation within the initial 110 million years of our solar system’s birth.
- Researchers utilized a cutting-edge technique called Atom Probe Tomography (APT) to reevaluate lunar sample 72255, a source of 4.2 billion-year-old zircon crystals, the oldest known minerals on Earth.
Discovery Process
- Scientists scrutinized the distribution of lead in the zircon crystals using APT, a technology with nanoscale spatial resolution.
- Lead clustering in the samples served as a pivotal factor in estimating the zircon’s age within the rocks.
- The precise analysis of the preserved zircon within crystal grains from lunar sample 72255 enabled researchers to accurately determine the moon’s age.
Relevance of Zircon
- The study delves into the giant impact hypothesis, positing that a massive object, Theia, collided with the Earth during its formation.
- This impact ejected debris that swiftly coalesced into the moon, forming the Lunar Magma Ocean, shaping the moon’s interior composition.
- Subsequent moon surface bombardments reworked and melted the earliest crust, leaving some zircon modified and others pristine.
- Identification of preserved zircon within lunar sample 72255 provided crucial data for recalculating the moon’s age.
Comparison with Earth
- Earth’s estimated age ranges between 4.5 to 4.6 billion years, making the moon slightly younger at 4.46 billion years old.
Important Points:
- Recent study reveals moon’s age is 40 million years older than previously thought, dating back to approximately 4.46 billion years (GA).
- Moon’s formation occurred within the first 110 million years of the solar system’s birth.
- Scientists utilized Atom Probe Tomography (APT) to analyze lead distribution in 4.2 billion-year-old zircon crystals from lunar sample 72255.
- APT technology provided nanoscale spatial resolution for precise analysis of zircon crystals.
- Preserved zircon within lunar sample 72255 played a crucial role in recalculating the moon’s age.
- Giant impact hypothesis suggests Earth’s collision with massive object Theia formed the moon, creating the Lunar Magma Ocean.
- Subsequent surface bombardments modified some zircon crystals, while others remained pristine.
- Earth’s estimated age ranges between 4.5 to 4.6 billion years, slightly older than the moon’s revised age of 4.46 billion years.
Why In News
According to a new study, the moon is 40 million years older than previously believed, shedding new light on the early history of our solar system.
MCQs about Moon’s Age Rewritten with Advanced Science
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What advanced technology was used to analyze the moon’s age in the recent study?
A. Telescope
B. Electron Microscope
C. Atom Probe Tomography (APT)
D. Geiger Counter
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Which object is thought to have collided with Earth, leading to the formation of the moon according to the giant impact hypothesis?
A. Venus
B. Jupiter
C. Theia
D. Mars
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What crucial information did scientists obtain from preserved zircon crystals in lunar sample 72255?
A. Moon’s surface temperature
B. Composition of Lunar Magma Ocean
C. Age of the zircon crystals
D. Moon’s gravitational pull
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