23 October 2023 at 15:20 Moon rock reveals the moon’s age A rock collected during the Apollo 17 lunar mission in 1972 shows that the moon is 40 million years older than previously thought. Analyzes of crystals from the mineral zircon inside a rock show that the moon was formed 4.46 billion years ago. It is “only” 110 million years after our solar system itself was formed, scientists tell Reuters. The stone was found by astronauts Harrison Schmitt (pictured) and Eugene Cernan brought back to Earth. At the time, 51 years ago, the technology used to date the crystals did not exist. – It is interesting that the oldest minerals found on Earth, Mars and the moon are zircon crystals. Zircon, not diamonds, lasts forever, says UCLA planetary scientist Bidong Zhang.
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Moonstone reveals the age of the moon – Latest news – news
