Scientists Say Apollo 17 , Lunar Dust Reveals Moon, Is Much Older Than <br />Previously Thought.<br />'The Guardian' reports that researchers believe <br />they have found evidence to suggest the Moon <br />is 50 million years older than previously believed.<br />A team of scientists looked at crystals found <br />in lunar dust brought to Earth in 1972 <br />as part of NASA's Apollo 17 mission. .<br />A team of scientists looked at crystals found <br />in lunar dust brought to Earth in 1972 <br />as part of NASA's Apollo 17 mission. .<br />It’s amazing being able to <br />have proof that the rock <br />you’re holding is the oldest bit <br />of the moon we’ve found so far. <br />It’s an anchor point for so many <br />questions about the Earth. , Dr Jennika Greer, Study lead author from <br />the University of Glasgow, via 'The Guardian' .<br />When you know how old something is, you can better understand what has happened to it in its history, Dr Jennika Greer, Study lead author from <br />the University of Glasgow, via 'The Guardian' .<br />'The Guardian' reports that scientists believe <br />a Mars-sized body struck Earth approximately 100 <br />million years after the formation of our solar system.<br />The impact is believed to have <br />ejected a huge mass of material <br />that would eventually form the moon. .<br />The high energy generated by the impact meant <br />the surface of the moon was initially molten <br />and later solidified as the lunar surface cooled.<br />The team believes that crystals analyzed in the study were <br />formed during this cooling process, offering researchers <br />a way to determine their age and the age of the Moon.<br />'The Guardian' reports that previous research has suggested <br />the moon to be approximately 4.42 billion years old, <br />however, crystals now may be evidence of an even older date.<br />This age pushes back the age of <br />the first preserved lunar crust by ∼<br />40 [million years] and provides <br />a minimum formation age for the <br />moon within 110 [million years] after <br />the formation of the solar system, Dr Jennika Greer, Study lead author from <br />the University of Glasgow, via 'The Guardian'
