Space
NASA Research Attempts To Figure Out Where Moon Got Its Rural Tattoos
Brooke James
First Posted: May 03, 2016 04:00 AM EDT
Observations and computer simulations may fiinally solve how the moon got its "tattoos" -- the swirling patterns found at over a hundred locations across its surface.
The patterns, according to NASA's project scientist of the Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter mission John Keller, are called "lunar swirls" and are unique features that have only been seen on the moon. Their origin has always been a mystery.
The swirls are not specific in their structure -- some can be tens of miles across, others appear in groups, and others are isolated. Previous clues were found, however, indicating that they are ancient bits of magnetic field found in the lunar crust. there are also areas in the swirls where thy appear less weathered than their surroundings. This is not surprising, considering that the space environment is harsh, and many things can cause material to change chemically in space, including impacts from meteorites that could have effect on the solar wind.
The Daily Mail noted that three prominent theories came to light after these observations - the swirls and magnetic fields could be formed from plumes of material that were ejected by comets. There is also the possibility that fine dust particle sorts over the magnetic field depending on their susceptibility to magnetism, therefore, forming light and dark patterns. Finally, due to the particles in the solar wind being electrically charged, they may have formed as a response to magnetic forces.
Reports from Phys.org said that scientists have provided insights as to how the magnetic shield theory could work, but the main problem is that the moon has very weak magnetic field - about 300 times weaker than that of the earth.
NASA's Bill Farrell noted that it is difficult to see how the moon could have the strength to deflect ions from a solar wind. New observations from the LRO noted however that there is support for the magnetic shield theory. However, Keller noted that until someone is going to go make measurements in the lunar surface, there may be no definitive answer - at least, not yet.
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First Posted: May 03, 2016 04:00 AM EDT
Observations and computer simulations may fiinally solve how the moon got its "tattoos" -- the swirling patterns found at over a hundred locations across its surface.
The patterns, according to NASA's project scientist of the Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter mission John Keller, are called "lunar swirls" and are unique features that have only been seen on the moon. Their origin has always been a mystery.
The swirls are not specific in their structure -- some can be tens of miles across, others appear in groups, and others are isolated. Previous clues were found, however, indicating that they are ancient bits of magnetic field found in the lunar crust. there are also areas in the swirls where thy appear less weathered than their surroundings. This is not surprising, considering that the space environment is harsh, and many things can cause material to change chemically in space, including impacts from meteorites that could have effect on the solar wind.
The Daily Mail noted that three prominent theories came to light after these observations - the swirls and magnetic fields could be formed from plumes of material that were ejected by comets. There is also the possibility that fine dust particle sorts over the magnetic field depending on their susceptibility to magnetism, therefore, forming light and dark patterns. Finally, due to the particles in the solar wind being electrically charged, they may have formed as a response to magnetic forces.
Reports from Phys.org said that scientists have provided insights as to how the magnetic shield theory could work, but the main problem is that the moon has very weak magnetic field - about 300 times weaker than that of the earth.
NASA's Bill Farrell noted that it is difficult to see how the moon could have the strength to deflect ions from a solar wind. New observations from the LRO noted however that there is support for the magnetic shield theory. However, Keller noted that until someone is going to go make measurements in the lunar surface, there may be no definitive answer - at least, not yet.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone