Moon May Be 40 Million Years Older Than Previous Estimate, According to New Study

The Moon may be 400 million years older than previous estimates. This has been revealed by the analysis of crystals brought from the Moon. Apollo Chandrayaan astronauts brought it to Earth in the 1970s. These crystals have already been analyzed. The age of its oldest crystal has been found to be 4.46 billion years. In the previous estimate, it was reported to be 4.52 billion years old.

This study conducted by researchers from the Field Museum and University of Glasgow has been published in the journal Geochemical Perspectives Letters. Jennika Greer, a professor at the University of Glasgow and lead author of the study, said: “It's amazing that we have the oldest Moon crystal ever found. This is an important point about Earth. When you know this, “By looking at how old something is, you can get a better understanding of what's happened in its history.” This discovery has been made by a new method called Atom PROM Tomography. In this, a laser is used to remove atoms from the crystals. Atom-by-atom analysis allows researchers to count how many atoms in the moon's crystals have suffered radioactive damage.

Scientists say that a more accurate age could give them more information about the origin and history of the Earth as well as the Moon. In March this year, a new asteroid was discovered near the Earth. It has been considered a 'quasi moon' or 'quasi satellite'. It revolves around the Sun in the same period as the Earth. It has been called FW13. Along with revolving around the Sun, it also revolves around the Earth.

Live Science reported that the diameter of this moon is 3,474 kilometers and while revolving around the Earth, it is 36,400 kilometers away at its nearest point. It was discovered by the Pan-STARRS Observatory in March. After this, its presence was confirmed by the telescope in Hawaii, USA and two observatories in Arizona. After this, the Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union, which nominates new planets and other astronomical objects, has included it in the official list.