Recent findings from NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission have provided new insights into the contrasting appearances of the Moon’s near and far sides. The near side, visible from Earth, is characterized by vast, dark plains known as “mare,” while the far side presents a rugged, heavily cratered landscape.
The GRAIL mission, involving twin spacecraft named Ebb and Flow, orbited the Moon from 2011 to 2012, mapping its gravitational field with unprecedented precision. Analysis of this data revealed that the Moon’s interior is not uniform; the near side exhibits greater flexing due to Earth’s gravitational pull, indicating a warmer and more geologically active mantle beneath its surface.
This internal warmth is attributed to ancient volcanic activity on the near side, which led to the accumulation of heat-producing elements like thorium and titanium. These elements generate heat through radioactive decay, maintaining higher temperatures in the near side’s mantle compared to the far side. This thermal difference has influenced the Moon’s geological evolution, resulting in the smoother plains of the near side and the rugged terrain of the far side.
The GRAIL mission’s detailed gravity map not only enhances our understanding of the Moon’s internal structure but also aids in the development of precise lunar navigation systems for future exploration missions. Furthermore, the techniques employed in this study can be applied to other celestial bodies, such as Jupiter’s moon Ganymede and Saturn’s moon Enceladus, potentially advancing our knowledge of planetary formation and the search for extraterrestrial life.
These discoveries underscore the Moon’s role as a valuable subject for scientific research, offering insights into planetary processes and the history of our solar system.
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