A new study by astronomers suggests that our Moon had an atmosphere about 3-4 billion years ago. It was formed when, under the influence of volcanic activity, our satellite solidified, and the gas formed from this activity accumulated so quickly that it eventually surrounded the moon.
The surface of our satellite is covered with impact craters filled with volcanic basalt. These basalt plains, called seas by astronomers, were formed from magma that erupted from the bowels of the satellite to the surface, creating real lava flows. Astronauts in the Apollo space program brought samples of these lunar basalt deposits to Earth, and through their analysis we now know that the lava flows contained carbon monoxide and other gases, sulfur, and even the building blocks of water.
Now our Moon does not have an atmosphere, since it does not have a strong enough magnetic field and the necessary mass to hold it. Unlike the Earth, which possesses both the required mass and the strength of the magnetic field, capable of holding the atmosphere, any resulting atmosphere around the Moon will be quickly blown away by solar winds. However, new research indicates that the Moon may indeed have had an atmosphere before this happened.
The team of scientists examined the samples and found out how much gas had to appear and accumulate in order to be able to form such a transitional atmosphere around the moon. It turned out that the peak of volcanic activity on the satellite came about 3.5 billion years ago, when the atmosphere of the satellite had the densest form. After its formation, it existed for about 70 million years, after which it was discarded and lost in space. During the period when the moon had an atmosphere, the satellite was almost three times closer to the Earth than it is now, and looked much larger in the night sky of our planet.
The new data obtained are important for future astronauts planning to participate in lunar missions and subsequent space exploration. Scientists speculate that the constituent volatiles of the moon's ancient atmosphere could have persisted closer to the moon's poles, as well as in cold, permanently shaded areas. If so, there may be an ice source on the moon right now that would-be astronauts and colonists can use to produce drinking water, grow food, and other needs. Ice deposits, in combination with their chemical elements, can also be used to produce fuel and air for both ground-based lunar operations and beyond the satellite, which is planned to be turned into a platform for subsequent space missions and flights into deep space. Besides,the presence of any useful element on the Moon means that it will not have to be transported there from Earth - a colossal advantage, especially when you consider how expensive it is to deliver payloads into space.
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Nikolay Khizhnyak