Anna Mittelholz

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Buried volcanic complex on Moon's far side points to ancient magnetic field

Interpreting the Dewar magnetic anomaly

ETH Zurich researchers combined gravity and magnetic measurements from orbiting probes and found a buried, strongly magnetized volcanic complex beneath the Moon's far side. The 4.2-billion-year-old structure, roughly 60 kilometers wide, is the strongest evidence yet that the Moon once generated its own magnetic field.

Updated 1 hour ago

Notable Quotes

Because we know how much iron is present in such a rock body, we can estimate the minimum strength the magnetic field must have had as the magma cooled slowly.

from Buried volcanic complex on Moon's far side points to ancient magnetic field · Updated 1 hour ago

Magnetic field lines could offer protection from solar winds, and swirls indicate the locations of such constellations.

from Buried volcanic complex on Moon's far side points to ancient magnetic field · Updated 1 hour ago