A fresh analysis of lunar gravity has revealed new insights into why the two sides of the Moon differ so dramatically in appearance. Scientists using data from NASA’s GRAIL mission — short for Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory — have found that the Moon’s interior is not symmetrical, with the nearside, which always faces Earth, showing signs of ancient volcanic activity.
The study, published in Nature, suggests that this difference is due to the Moon’s mantle being hotter on the nearside than on the farside — by as much as 100 to 200 degrees Celsius. This temperature difference is likely driven by the radioactive decay of elements like thorium and titanium that are more abundant on the nearside.
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Ryan Park, who led the research at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, explained that the Moon’s nearside deforms more under Earth’s gravitational pull than the farside, a phenomenon known as tidal deformation. This supports the idea that the two sides have different internal structures.
The nearside is marked by dark volcanic plains, or mare, while the farside remains rugged and largely untouched by such activity. Scientists believe that the warm and active mantle on the nearside helped create these features.
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This research not only enhances our understanding of the Moon’s deep interior but could also aid future missions by improving lunar navigation systems. The same technique may be applied to study other celestial bodies, such as the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, in the quest to explore life beyond Earth.
As Park noted, the Moon remains central to scientific exploration, continuing to influence life on Earth while offering clues to the solar system’s past.