How old is the Moon? Here's what the experts say

Have you ever wondered how old the Moon, our planet's natural satellite, is? Come find out what the experts have to say about the subject!

One of the most mysterious places/topics that causes the most curiosity and doubts among human beings is the origin of our universe and the things that surround us in space.

What is the origin of the Sun? How big is the universe? How many planets will still be discovered outside our Solar System? These are just some of the questions that have permeated the human mind since we began acquiring the knowledge and equipment to address these questions.

That said, when it comes to curiosity about space, another figure that generates a lot of curiosity among experts – and even among lay people – is the Moon. 

What might have been the origin of this satellite that is so important to our life here on Earth? And how old is the Moon? The answers to these questions may surprise you!

To help you better understand these questions and find out what experts are saying about the topic, we've prepared a special content focused on the Moon! Here, we'll learn more about the possible origin of the Moon and the age of our natural satellite!

How important is the Moon to Earth and what areas does it affect?

The Moon exerts several influences on Earth, both directly and indirectly. Here are some of the main ways the Moon affects our planet:

Influence on tides

The Moon's most obvious influence on Earth is the creation of tides. The Moon's gravitational pull causes ocean water to rise toward the Moon, resulting in two high tides and two low tides each day. This occurs because the gravitational pull is stronger on the side of the Earth facing the Moon and weaker on the side away from it, causing tides to form.

Stabilization of the Earth's axis

The Moon also exerts a stabilizing influence on Earth's axis of rotation. This helps keep Earth's axial tilt relatively constant over time, which is important for Earth's climate and seasons.

Variation of night brightness

The Moon reflects the Sun's light, illuminating the night and affecting Earth's nighttime luminosity. The Moon's phase (waxing, full, waning, etc.) determines the amount of light we receive at night.

Influence on biological activities

The Moon can influence the behavior of some animal species, such as marine animals that reproduce in sync with the tides or some bird species that use the phases of the Moon for orientation during their migrations.

Potential influence on climate

Some studies suggest that the Moon may have a subtle influence on Earth's climate, affecting atmospheric circulation and the distribution of air masses. However, this is an ongoing research topic and is not yet fully understood.

What is the origin of the Moon?

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the Moon? After all, the emergence of such a fascinating satellite, so important to life on our planet, generates considerable curiosity to this day.

Although it is practically impossible to define with certainty what would have caused the emergence of the satellite, the most widely accepted theory – and also the most popular – is the giant impact theory.

The theory holds that the Moon formed as a result of an impact between the early Earth and a celestial body called Theia. This collision would have been catastrophic, as it was estimated that the celestial body that collided with the more "primitive" version of our planet would have been the size of Mars, generating enormous amounts of energy and even melting parts of Earth and Theia itself. Impressive, right?

As a result of this massive impact, some of the material from Earth and Theia was thrown into space. This material, orbiting Earth, gradually coalesced to form what would become the Moon. During this period, the Moon would have begun as an incandescent mass of molten material.

Only over time did the Moon cool and solidify. Most of the material ejected from the impact accumulated on the Moon, and its chemical and mineralogical composition is similar to that of Earth's crust, consistent with the giant impact theory.

However, this theory is not yet accepted by all professionals in the field. As with everything involving the universe and its origin, there are those who agree and those who disagree with this origin.

Although some evidence discovered throughout history contributes to this theory – such as the synchronized rotation of the Moon, the distribution of craters on the satellite and computer simulations – it is important to note that the formation of the Moon is a complex process and is still being studied by the scientific community.

How old is the Moon? Find out what the experts say!

Now that you know a little more about the theory of the emergence of Earth's natural satellite, it's time to talk about the age of the Moon.

The process mentioned in the previous topic would have occurred approximately 4.5 billion years ago. In other words, the Moon's age would theoretically be around 4.0 billion years.

However, lunar surface samples collected in 1972—that's right, 50 years ago—revealed that the Moon may be older than previously thought! This recent discovery suggests the Moon is about 40 million years older than previously believed.

The discovery was made through crystals found in the lunar dust that was being studied!

In other words: apparently, the Moon was formed shortly after the impact mentioned here!

Did you like the content we prepared today? Then take the opportunity to read it too Earth's Thermosphere: find out what it is and what its function is