Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
Flood-weary Texas finally drying out, but near 100-degree heat looms Chevron right
Tropical rainstorm soaks Florida, could strengthen in Gulf before targeting Louisiana Chevron right

Columbus, OH

86°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

86°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Astronomy

Moon's metal-rich craters challenge popular theories about its origin

By Brooks Hays, UPI

Published Jul 3, 2020 6:03 PM EDT

Copied

Partner Content

UPI

July 1 (UPI) -- The most popular theory of the moon's origins contends the satellite was formed when a Mars-sized object collided with Earth, vaporizing large portions of Earth's upper crust.

While Earth's upper crust is poor in metals, new research -- published Wednesday in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters -- suggests the moon's subsurface is surprisingly metal-rich, undermining the satellite's proposed origin story.

"By improving our understanding of how much metal the moon's subsurface actually has, scientists can constrain the ambiguities about how it has formed, how it is evolving and how it is contributing to maintaining habitability on Earth," lead study author Essam Heggy said in a news release.

Using data collected by instruments onboard NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, researchers were able to identify the chemical composition of the fine dust found at the bottom of lunar craters. Scientists measured higher concentrations of metals, including iron and titanium oxides, than previously estimated.

The dust in the bottom of craters offers evidence of the materials found beneath the lunar crust. Scientists suspect much of the fine dust found inside craters are what's left of material that was ejected millions of years ago.

Scientists surveyed the contents of a variety of craters, and they found larger craters hosted greater concentrations of metal dust than smaller craters. The discovery supports the theory that the moon's subsurface material is especially metal-rich.

The difference in concentrations of iron oxides on the moon and Earth has always complicated the traditional theory for the moon's formation, but the new research shows the moon is even more metal-rich than previously thought.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

Authors of the new study suggest planetary scientists consider alternative theories for the moon's formation.

It's possible the collision that forged the moon was more violent than scientists thought, gouging out even deeper portions of Earth's crust and mantle. It's also possible the moon experienced an unusual cool-down process, post-collision -- a process that left the moon with large concentrations of metal.

"Our solar system alone has over 200 moons -- understanding the crucial role these moons play in the formation and evolution of the planets they orbit can give us deeper insights into how and where life conditions outside Earth might form and what it might look like," said Heggy, a research scientist of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Southern California.

Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.

Report a Typo
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.
Comments
Hide Comments

Weather News

Weather News

Death toll reaches 129 in Texas as new flash flood threat expands

Jul. 13, 2025
Weather Forecasts

Flood-weary Texas finally drying out, but near 100-degree heat looms

Jul. 14, 2025
Weather News

The Deadliest Floods in Texas History: A State at Risk

Jul. 14, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe weather to rumble in the central US through the holiday weekend

Jul. 6, 2025
Weather News

Record sargassum seaweed piles up on Caribbean islands, Gulf

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather Forecasts

Flood-weary Texas finally drying out, but near 100-degree heat looms

3 hours ago

Weather News

Thunderstorms bring more flooding, evacuations to central Texas

4 hours ago

Hurricane

Tropical Rainstorm to drench Florida, Gulf Coast

3 hours ago

Weather News

Grand Canyon fires force closures

4 hours ago

Severe Weather

Wildfire smoke may follow storms, severe weather in eastern US

3 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Astronomy

Noctilucent clouds shimmer in summer sky

4 hours ago

Recreation

Yellowstone’s landscape shifts again with discovery of new hot pool

6 hours ago

Weather News

Orcas are bringing humans gifts of food – but why?

3 days ago

Weather News

Giant shoes found spark mystery around the soldiers of ancient Rome

4 hours ago

Weather News

It’s not just humans – chimpanzees also like to follow trends

5 hours ago

AccuWeather Astronomy Moon's metal-rich craters challenge popular theories about its origin
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...