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Editor's note: You want more moon? Join us on Wednesday March 27 at 3pm. IS for the very first NASA Science Live show. We will talk about "To the Moon and Beyond" and answer your questions.
In the vast expanse of our solar system, there is a place where, in some ways, we even know better than some parts of the Earth. It is a rock in rotation that is a constant of our life: our natural satellite, the Moon.
Around the world, people have found a way to appropriate the moon. The Chinese tell the story of Chang'e, a goddess of the moon. The ancient Egyptians had the god of the moon Khonsu, protector of nocturnal travelers. The ancient Greeks had the moon goddess Selene, who allegedly drove a moon chariot across the dark sky.
Not only have our stories helped us understand the Moon, but it has also illuminated our understanding of the Earth. So here are 10 things we learned on Earth by studying our closest neighbor.
Here, a Mars-sized protoplanet strikes the proto-Earth at a 45-degree angle near the reciprocal exit velocity of the two worlds. The "red" particles escaped the Earth-Moon system. Some of this debris can eventually reach other bodies of the solar system, such as the large asteroids of the main belt. The "yellow-green" particles go into the disc that makes the moon. The "blue" particles have been enhanced by the proto-Earth. Credit: Robin Canup / Southwestern Research Institute.
1. The composition of a newborn earth
The moon is not made of cheese; it's made from the remains of a baby Earth!
Scientists believe that an object the size of Mars crashed on Earth 4.5 billion years ago. The strength of this crash was such that she sent Earth materials and the object that hit them, flying in space. Some of this debris stuck to form the Moon.
Not only has the moon been built largely from the Earth but a lot of debris from the earth probably landed on the Moon in the period following its formation. Other clues about the composition of a primitive Earth could very well be hidden between layers of moon dust.
The crater Mendeleev of the Moon (named after Dimitri Mendeleev, the inventor of the periodic table of the elements) measures about 313 kilometers (195 miles) in diameter. It contains a crater chain called Catena Mendeleev. Credit: NASA / GSFC / Arizona State University
2. The "time capsule" of the Earth on the Moon
The face of the moon is almost each crater in his story. The Earth, with its surface constantly stirred and remodeled by plate tectonics, erosion and other elements, can hardly say the same. But because of the Moon's proximity to the Earth, we can turn to the immutable lunar surface to discover the Earth's past. Most lunar craters are thought to have formed about four billion years ago, during a period called heavy late bombardment. Meanwhile, we believe that a large number of asteroids and other objects have shelled the Moon, our planet and other planets. By studying the lunar craters, as well as the rocks reported by Apollo astronauts brought back several decades ago, we have a better idea of what happened to the Earth during this turbulent period and beyond.
A lunar sample made by Apollo 14 astronauts could contain some Earth about 4 billion years ago.
3. "Collectible" Meteorites of the Earth with the Moon
Rather than playing cards, we think the Earth and Moon are trading meteorites. Our studies of the moon taught us how meteorites ejected from its surface during the asteroid impacts could have fallen on the Earth, where they were found by scientists.
These moon samples come from all areas of the lunar surface, even from the farthest side of the moon, which we can not see from the Earth. Even though there is less evidence of migration from Earth to the Moon, scientists believe it is possible. One study even suggests, from computer models, that there could be about 20,000 kg (40,000 pounds) of Rocks of the Earth for every 100 square kilometers from the moon.
Artistic concept of intensive bombardment of the early Earth. Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center conceptual images laboratory
4 Potential indices of life on Earth
If the Earth actually exchanges meteorites with its satellite, these unique relics could tell us more about the living conditions of the Earth.
Some scientists have suggested that microorganisms may have existed on the Moon, possibly carried by meteorites from the Earth. Others have also proposed looking into the lunar soil for elements, such as ancient nitrogen or oxygen, from the Earth, which could fill gaps in knowledge about the development of the Earth's atmosphere.
It has even been suggested that the same materials that brought life to Earth could be preserved in the lunar lava.
Night view of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. A NASA-led team is studying Hawaiian volcanoes in the air, on the ground and in space to better understand volcanic processes and hazards.Credit: NASA
5 Terrestrial volcanoes are a "fountain of youth"
Although the Earth and the Moon were formed at about the same time, the surface of the Earth looks younger. The secret of our planet? Volcanoes.
Plate tectonics and hot spots constantly help the Earth to spring from the rock, ashes and gases from its interior. Part of this material is deposited renew the surface of the Earth and maintaining its youthful glow.
The moon has a maria, or plains of volcanic rock, that suggest past active volcanoes. NASA's Lunar Renaissance Orbiter finds that the moon may have had volcanic flows a few tens of millions of years ago, at the time of the Earth's dinosaurs.
The traces of lunar volcanic activity having been so well preserved, we can study its evolution in time and in different conditions to better understand the volcanic processes on Earth.
A simple visualization of the terrestrial magnetosphere. Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio / JPL NAIF
6. The moon can help strengthen the Earth's shield
Earth's magnetic field is our shield, permanently shielding us from harmful solar wind or cosmic ray particles. This important buffer is generated by the rapid movement of liquid iron and nickel into the outer core of the Earth.
One thing that moves this ocean of molten metal is the gravity of the moon. Recent research suggests that the gravity of the Moon rests on the mantle layer of the Earth (located above the outer core). This causes a slipping of the outer core of the liquid, helping to generate the energy necessary to maintain our magnetic field.
Four moonquakes compared (black) to an earthquake (red). Credit: NASA / Marshall Space Flight Center / Renee Weber
7. Earthquakes do not resemble moon tremors
Earthquakes usually last only half a minute. On the other hand, shallow moonquakes, a type of moon vibration that starts about 20 to 30 kilometers below the surface can last at least 10 minutes. The cause of these rare earthquakes is unclear, but they highlight one of the reasons why liquid water is essential on Earth: it helps to distribute energy, reducing the vibrations caused by earthquakes. Earth. The study of lunar earthquakes can help us understand what seismic activity on Earth could have been during periods with less liquid water on the surface, such as during large glaciations or early history of the Earth, when the surface was much too hot to keep liquid oceans.
8. Mirror, mirror on the moon
Every planet or moon in our solar system can be measured by its albedo, or how much light that reflects. Think of it as a level of luminosity: a brighter body will have a higher albedo, while the albedo of a weaker body will be weaker.
Measuring albedo is particularly important on Earth because it can help track climate change according to the amount of sunlight the earth absorbs.
The moon can really help us measure this key property. Have you ever noticed that during a crescent moon you can sometimes see the rest of the moon's face lightly? This weaker part of the face is actually lit by the sunlight bouncing off the Earth – what's it called shine of the earth.
By measuring this glow Since the Moon, scientists can accurately estimate the Earth's radiation and even the composition of the Earth's atmosphere..
The ocher starfish promotes species diversity in low tide areas by eating mussels that could invade marine life. Credit: National Science Foundation / Genny Anderson, Santa Barbara City College
9. The moon makes our existence possible …
We have the moon to thank for our way of life!
Signature of the Earth 23.5 degree tilt on its axis is due to the moon controlling it. The 23.5 degree angle ensures the safety of our planet, as a more exaggerated tilt would cause more extreme seasons.
Without the gravity of the Moon, the Earth would oscillate more violently on its axis, radically altering the climate. In addition to maintaining climate stability, the Moon also sets the pace of the Earth – the highs and lows of our tides – which influences the diversity of ways we use the ocean for food , travel and leisure. Precisely measuring the mass, size and orbital properties of the Moon is essential for predicting these tidal and seasonal rhythms.
The Earth and its moon are well framed in this image taken from the rear windows of the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998. Credit: NASA
10. … but we reject it
Because the Earth and the Moon interact through the tides, our planet is currently moving its satellite around 3.78 centimeters.) every year – at about the same rate as nails grow. Here's how: The side of the Earth facing the moon is pulled by the gravity of the moon, creating what scientists call atidal bulge, Or a bulge of raised seawater attracted to the moon. Since the Earth rotates on its axis faster than its rotation around the Moon, the higher gravity of the Earth's bulge tries to accelerate the rotation of the Moon. Meanwhile, the Moon shoots the Earth and slows the planet's rotation. The friction that results from this arm wrestling forces the Moon to a wider orbit. The study of these interactions between tides and orbits is extremely important to understand the possible effects on the climate of the Earth.
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