Tiny glass beads discovered on the moon during the Apollo era have provided a long-sought answer to why the moon appears grey. The beads, which are smaller than grains of sand and date back 3.3-3.6 billion years, were formed from ancient volcanic eruptions that shot molten material into space.
Researchers analyzed the beads using advanced microscopic techniques, revealing their chemical composition and isotopic makeup. This information provides a window into the Moon’s geological history, showing how its interior evolved over time. The study found that the style of volcanic activity changed over millions of years, providing insights into the Moon’s dynamic past.
The discovery is significant because it confirms the moon was geologically active billions of years ago, with explosive volcanoes creating these microscopic “windows into lunar history.” The beads’ unique colors and compositions tell different chapters of the Moon’s story, offering a glimpse into the conditions deep within its interior during that era.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/the-moon/apollo-astronauts-discovered-the-moon-is-covered-in-tiny-orange-glass-beads-now-we-finally-know-why