Moon’s Age Redefined as Tidal Heating Theory Emerges

The moon may be 100 million years older than previously thought, according to a new study. Researchers suggest that the lunar surface “remelted” around 4.35 billion years ago, resetting the age of lunar rocks and masking the moon’s true age.

This theory proposes that tidal forces from Earth’s gravity caused widespread upheaval and intense heating on the moon’s surface, erasing early impact basins. The study’s lead author, Francis Nimmo, notes that this explanation reconciles two competing hypotheses: dynamicists who want an “old” moon and geochemists who prefer a “young” moon.

Previous research estimated the moon’s age to be around 4.35 billion years old based on lunar samples collected by previous missions. However, the new study suggests that the true age of the moon could be up to 80 million years after the solar system began forming.

The researchers’ findings make predictions that can be tested with lunar rocks acquired by China’s upcoming Chang’e 6 mission to the far side of the moon. The study’s authors plan to conduct more complex and realistic simulations to further explore the effects of tidal heating on the moon’s geology.

Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/moon/the-moon-may-be-100-million-years-older-than-we-thought