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Time of India
16-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
NASA study reveals why the moon look so different on each side
NASA study reveals why the moon look so different on each side The moon, Earth's only natural satellite, has been a source of fascination for centuries, not just for its mesmerizing phases but also for the stark differences between its two sides. While the side that faces Earth, known as the nearside, is characterized by vast, dark plains called "mare," the far side is marked by rugged, heavily cratered terrain. This striking asymmetry has puzzled scientists for decades. Now, an in-depth study using data from NASA 's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission is providing new clues about why the moon's two hemispheres look so different. The findings, published in the journal Nature, shed light on the moon's internal structure, revealing significant differences between its nearside and farside that are deeply linked to its volcanic past and gravitational interactions with Earth. Understanding the GRAIL mission and its significance NASA's GRAIL mission, launched in 2011, consisted of two robotic spacecraft, Ebb and Flow, which orbited the moon to create the most detailed gravitational map of the lunar surface to date. The mission's primary goal was to measure variations in the moon's gravitational field, providing critical insights into its internal structure and geological history. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ثلاجات غير مباعة متاحة الآن – انقر وشاهد الأسعار! ثلاجات | إعلانات البحث ابحث الآن Undo The GRAIL mission achieved this by precisely measuring the distance between the two spacecraft as they orbited the moon. Even tiny changes in this distance, caused by variations in the moon's gravitational pull, provided data about the moon's interior composition, crust thickness, and subsurface anomalies. This approach has proven crucial for understanding the forces that shaped the moon's contrasting hemispheres. Why the two sides of the moon are so different 1. Tidal deformation and gravitational asymmetry One of the key findings from the GRAIL mission is that the moon's interior is not uniform. Researchers discovered that the lunar nearside flexes slightly more than the farside during its elliptical orbit around Earth, a phenomenon known as tidal deformation. This difference in flexibility is primarily driven by Earth's gravitational pull, which exerts a greater influence on the side facing our planet. Ryan Park, the study's lead author and supervisor of the Solar System Dynamics Group at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, explained, 'Our study shows that the moon's interior is not uniform: the side facing Earth - the nearside - is warmer and more geologically active deep down than the farside.' This increased flexibility suggests that the lunar nearside has a significantly different internal structure, which likely played a role in its distinct surface features. 2. Volcanic activity and heat distribution The study also confirmed a long-standing theory that the moon's nearside was once more volcanically active than the farside. Billions of years ago, intense volcanic activity on the nearside led to the formation of vast plains of basaltic rock, which are still visible today as the dark regions known as "mare." In contrast, the farside is covered with lighter, older crust that has remained largely untouched by large-scale volcanic processes. According to the research, this volcanic activity concentrated heat-producing, radioactive elements like thorium and titanium in the nearside mantle, resulting in a significant temperature difference between the two hemispheres. The nearside mantle is estimated to be about 180-360 degrees Fahrenheit (100-200 degrees Celsius) hotter than the farside mantle, creating a long-term thermal imbalance that has shaped the moon's geology over billions of years. 3. Crustal thickness and surface composition Another major factor contributing to the moon's asymmetry is the difference in crustal thickness between the two sides. The GRAIL data revealed that the nearside crust is significantly thinner than the farside crust, allowing magma from the moon's interior to more easily reach the surface in the past, leading to extensive lava flows. This difference in crustal thickness likely explains why the nearside has large, flat plains while the farside remains rugged and heavily cratered. The thinner nearside crust also contributed to the accumulation of radioactive, heat-producing elements, further enhancing the thermal imbalance between the two hemispheres. Implications for lunar exploration and future missions The findings from the GRAIL mission have far-reaching implications for future lunar exploration. Understanding the moon's internal structure is critical for developing accurate lunar positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems, which will be essential for the success of future crewed missions to the moon and beyond. Additionally, the methods used in this study to map the moon's gravitational field could be applied to other celestial bodies, such as Saturn's moon Enceladus and Jupiter's moon Ganymede, both of which are considered potential candidates in the search for extraterrestrial life. Connecting lunar findings to Earth's stability Beyond its scientific interest, the moon plays a vital role in stabilizing Earth's rotation and generating ocean tides, which have shaped the evolution of life on our planet. Understanding the moon's internal dynamics and geological history not only deepens our knowledge of our closest neighbor but also provides insights into the early solar system and the forces that shaped it. As Park noted, 'Our knowledge of the moon has expanded through human and robotic missions that have revealed details about its surface and interior, yet many questions about its deep structure and history remain.' This continued exploration promises to uncover more secrets about the moon's complex geological past and its ongoing influence on Earth. Also read | NASA fired the employee they once celebrated, then tried to erase her story — here's who she is
Hans India
15-05-2025
- Science
- Hans India
NASA Finally Explains Why the Moon's Far Side Is So Different From Its Near Side
The sharp difference between the Moon's two faces—the enigmatic far side, sometimes known as the "dark side," and the well-known near side, which is constantly facing Earth—has baffled scientists for decades. Finally, we have answers because of NASA's innovative research. A recent study that was published in Nature explains the stark differences between these two hemispheres of the Moon using data from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission. Earth's gravitational pull is a major factor in the near side's substantially warmer and more geologically active interior compared to the far side, according to the findings. Gravity Hints Under the Surface Researchers were able to develop a high-resolution model that depicts the Moon's minor deformation under Earth's gravity by measuring minute changes in the Moon's gravitational field. This flexing, often referred to as tidal deformation, provides information about the internal structure of the Moon. "There is something fundamentally different about the internal structure of the Moon's near side compared to its far side," stated Ryan Park, leader of NASA's Solar System Dynamics Group at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, "because we found that the Moon's near side is flexing more than the far side." "We were shocked by the outcome when we initially examined the data and didn't think it was real. Therefore, we performed the computations numerous times to confirm the results. This is a total of ten years of labour. The Reasons Behind the Hotter Side The mantle of the near side is thought to be 100–200 degrees Celsius warmer than that of the far side, according to the study. The abundance of radioactive materials like thorium and titanium on the Earth-facing side of the Moon is probably the cause of this heat differential. Ancient volcanic activity on the near side, which produced the vast, black plains known as Mare, was fuelled in part by this tempe Old Volcanism Sculpted the Moon Once the near side was changed by intensive volcanism, heat-producing materials were also transported deeper into the Moon's interior, leaving behind the gravitational fingerprints GRAIL found. Long-held beliefs that early volcanic activity created the Moon's striking asymmetry and left behind a geological record that is still discernible and quantifiable now are supported by these imbalance. The further side, however, is still rocky, extensively cratered, and has a calmer geology. An Insight into Planetary Science from the Moon From regulating ocean tides to stabilising our planet's spin, the Moon is essential to life on Earth in addition to its scientific significance. The Moon's interior composition and past history are still mostly unknown, despite the fact that human and robotic missions have learnt a great deal about its surface. Park stated that this research advances our knowledge of how the Moon and other planetary bodies changed over billions of years.
Economic Times
15-05-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
NASA study reveals why the Moon's near and far sides tell very different stories and how it influences Earth
NASA's GRAIL mission reveals the Moon's two sides are strikingly different, with the nearside being warmer and more volcanically active than the far side. This disparity is attributed to ancient volcanic activity that concentrated radioactive elements on the nearside, causing a significant temperature difference in the mantle. The findings will aid future lunar missions and navigation. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How are the two sides different? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Moon's deep interior holds clues Why does this matter? A new NASA study has found that the inside of the Moon is not the same on both sides, and this could explain why the side facing Earth looks so different from the one we never findings come from NASA's GRAIL (Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory) mission. Using two robotic spacecraft, GRAIL created the most detailed map of the Moon's gravity so far. This helped scientists look deep inside the Moon and learn more about how it found that the Moon's 'nearside', the side we always see from Earth, is warmer and more geologically active deep down than the far side. This is likely because of massive volcanic activity billions of years ago that shaped the Moon's nearside of the Moon has large dark plains called 'mare' made of cooled volcanic rock. The far side is much more rugged and mountainous. Scientists have long wondered why the two sides are so different.A new study, cited by Reuters, suggests that intense volcanic activity caused certain radioactive elements to accumulate on the Moon's nearside. These elements, such as thorium and titanium, generate heat as they decay, making the nearside mantle, a deep layer beneath the surface, approximately 100 to 200°C hotter than the Moon's mantle, which lies between the crust and the core, makes up about 80% of its mass. It contains minerals like olivine and pyroxene, which are also found in Earth's mantle. The scientists noticed that the shape and behaviour of the Moon during its orbit, known as tidal deformation, is also different on each side. This is because Earth's gravity pulls more on the side facing us.'The fact that the shape of the mantle matches the surface differences gives us strong evidence that ancient volcanic activity on the nearside shaped what we see today,' said NASA researcher Ryan Park The improved gravity map of the Moon will help future space missions. It will help in building accurate lunar navigation systems, like GPS on the Moon, which are essential for upcoming lunar exploration The same method of studying a planet or moon's gravity to learn about its inside could also help with studying other moons like Enceladus (around Saturn) and Ganymede (around Jupiter), which are being explored for signs of life.'The Moon helps keep Earth's rotation stable and causes ocean tides,' Park said. 'Even though we've sent many missions to the Moon, there's still a lot we don't know about its deep interior and past.'Inputs from Reuters
TimesLIVE
15-05-2025
- Science
- TimesLIVE
Gravity study shows why moon's two sides look so different
An exhaustive examination of lunar gravity using data obtained by two Nasa robotic spacecraft is offering new clues about why the two sides of the moon — the one perpetually facing Earth and the other always facing away — look so different. The data from the US space agency's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL), mission indicates that the moon's deep interior has an asymmetrical structure, apparently caused by intense volcanism on its nearside billions of years ago that helped shape its surface features. The researchers discovered that the lunar nearside flexes slightly more than the farside during its elliptical orbit around Earth thanks to our planet's gravitational influence — a process called tidal deformation. This indicates differences in the two sides of the lunar interior, they said, specifically in the geological layer called the mantle. "Our study shows that the moon's interior is not uniform: the side facing Earth - the nearside — is warmer and more geologically active deep down than the far side," said Ryan Park, supervisor of the Solar System Dynamics Group at Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California and lead author of the study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature. The moon's nearside is covered by vast plains, called mare, formed from molten rock that cooled and solidified billions of years ago. Its far side has much more rugged terrain, with few plains.
Ammon
15-05-2025
- Science
- Ammon
Gravity study shows why the moon's two sides look so different
Ammon News - An exhaustive examination of lunar gravity using data obtained by two NASA robotic spacecraft is offering new clues about why the two sides of the moon - the one perpetually facing Earth and the other always facing away - look so different. The data from the U.S. space agency's GRAIL, or Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory, mission indicates that the moon's deep interior has an asymmetrical structure, apparently caused by intense volcanism on its nearside billions of years ago that helped shape its surface features. Keep up with the latest medical breakthroughs and healthcare trends with the Reuters Health Rounds newsletter. Sign up here. The researchers discovered that the lunar nearside flexes slightly more than the farside during its elliptical orbit around Earth thanks to our planet's gravitational influence - a process called tidal deformation. This indicates differences in the two sides of the lunar interior, they said, specifically in the geological layer called the mantle. "Our study shows that the moon's interior is not uniform: the side facing Earth - the nearside - is warmer and more geologically active deep down than the farside," said Ryan Park, supervisor of the Solar System Dynamics Group at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California and lead author of the study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature, opens new tab. The moon's nearside is covered by vast plains, called mare, formed from molten rock that cooled and solidified billions of years ago. Its farside has much more rugged terrain, with few plains. Some scientists have hypothesized that intense volcanism within the nearside that caused radioactive, heat-generating elements to accumulate on that side of the mantle drove the surface differences observed today. The new findings offer the strongest evidence yet to support this notion. The researchers estimated that the nearside mantle on average is about 180-360 degrees Fahrenheit (100-200 degrees Celsius) hotter than the farside, with the thermal difference perhaps sustained by radioactive decay of the elements thorium and titanium on the nearside. "The moon's nearside and farside look very different, as shown by differences in topography, crustal thickness and the amount of heat-producing elements inside," Park said. The moon's diameter of about 2,160 miles (3,475 km) is a bit more than a quarter of Earth's diameter. The lunar mantle is the layer located beneath the crust and above the core, spanning a depth about 22-870 miles (35-1,400 km) under the surface. The mantle makes up roughly 80% of the moon's mass and volume and is composed mostly of the minerals olivine and pyroxene, similar to Earth's mantle. "The fact that the detected asymmetry in the mantle matches the pattern of the surface geology - for instance, differences in the abundance of the approximately 3-4 billion-year-old mare basalts (volcanic rock) between the nearside and the farside - suggests that processes which drove ancient lunar volcanism are active today," said Caltech computational planetary scientist and study co-author Alex Berne, affiliated with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory working on the design of gravity sensors for missions to the outer solar system. The researchers spent years analyzing data from GRAIL's Ebb and Flow spacecraft, which orbited the moon from December 2011 to December 2012. "Our study delivers the most detailed and accurate gravitational map of the moon to date," Park said. "This enhanced gravity map is a critical foundation for developing lunar Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems, which are essential for the success of future lunar exploration missions. By improving our understanding of the moon's gravity field, it contributes to establishing a precise lunar reference frame and time system, enabling safer and more reliable navigation for spacecraft and surface operations," Park added. The same approach employed here using gravity data to assess the lunar interior, the researchers said, could be applied to other bodies in the solar system such as Saturn's moon Enceladus and Jupiter's moon Ganymede, two worlds of interest in the search for potential life beyond Earth. In the meantime, the new findings add to the understanding of Earth's eternal companion. "The moon plays a vital role in stabilizing Earth's rotation and generating ocean tides, which influence natural systems and daily rhythms," Park said. "Our knowledge of the moon has expanded through human and robotic missions that have revealed details about its surface and interior, yet many questions about its deep structure and history remain. As our closest neighbor, the moon continues to be an important focus of scientific discovery." Reuters
