Scientists believe oxygen escaping from Earth’s atmosphere may be causing the Moon to “rust,” forming hematite on its surface.
Scientists say a mysterious form of rust found on the Moon may be linked to charged oxygen escaping Earth’s atmosphere.
Hematite, a mineral form of iron oxide, was discovered on the Moon’s surface by India’s Chandrayaan-1 orbiter, surprising researchers since the Moon lacks oxygen. A 2020 study suggested that “Earth-wind” — a flow of ionized particles from our planet’s atmosphere — could provide the missing ingredient. In a new lab experiment, scientists recreated this process, bombarding lunar-like iron minerals with ionized oxygen. Some samples transformed into hematite, supporting the theory.
The team also tested solar wind effects, finding that while high-energy hydrogen ions could reverse hematite back to iron, low-energy ions allowed rust to persist. This balance may explain how hematite accumulates despite the Moon’s harsh environment.
Planetary scientist Shuai Li said future missions could confirm the theory by analyzing oxygen in lunar hematite to see if it traces back to Earth’s atmosphere.
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