In a surprising discovery, scientists have found rust on the Moon's surface. This phenomenon was previously considered impossible. The discovery challenges existing theories due to the Moon's lack of atmosphere and water.
Data from India's Chandrayaan-1 orbiter revealed the presence of hematite. Hematite is a form of rust. The research, published in Science Advances, comes from researchers at the University of Hawaii and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Rust typically requires oxygen and water to form. The Moon is not known to have these substances in abundance. "I was surprised to find a close match with the spectral signature of hematite," said Shuai Li, lead author of the study from the University of Hawaii.
Researchers believe the Earth might be the source of the oxygen. Our planet's magnetic field extends into space. It creates a magnetotail that carries oxygen to the Moon. This explains why more hematite was found on the Earth-facing side of the Moon.
Water, while scarce on the Moon, may come from fast-moving dust particles. These particles bombard the surface. They potentially mix with iron-rich minerals and help in the rusting process. Abigail Fraeman of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory says, "Little bits of water and the impact of dust particles are allowing iron in these bodies to rust."