Moon Is Estimated To Be 4.51 Billion Years Old; More Than What Was Previously Estimated

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Jan 12, 2017 07:36 AM EST

Ever wondered how old is the moon? Scientists have answered this questions. NASA's Apollo 14 mission was one of the extremely successful manned mission where the astronauts were able to bring back samples of lunar rocks which were subjected to numerous tests. The reports certainly describe the age of moon which is around 4.51 billion years ago citing the lunar rocks claimed during the mission. 

The Verge stated that the research has cleared the previously estimated age of the moon. It was observed that the creation of moon was the result of high-speed collisions between Theia and the Earth thereby helping scientists find the first ever existence of life on Earth. 

The dating technique used in determining the age of moon comprises of the lunar samples that are further broken down into chemical components. The Lunar samples are known as Zircon. A process called solidification which means beginning of Moon's life helps determines the exact and accurate age of the moon. 

Researchers have already tested Zircon for its consistent results and it remains unaltered for millions of years. Zircon is considered as a solidified form of magma which erupted from beneath the Moon and then eventually cooled down forming a crystallized rock.  [ Also Read: Aiek E1 Review ]

Moon was formed due to Theia colliding with Earth which threw debris across the space forming the nearest celestial body named Moon as per thinking of astronomers. Space stated that Apollo 14 mission which was blasted in 1971 came back with zircon which was then subjected to undergo differents test such as uranium decaying measurement, hafnium decaying, etc. Zircon is considered to be ancient and original. The estimated age of moon was concluded as 4.51 billion years.

The new research has made astronomers have better understanding abut how Earth, Moon, and the solar system evolved.

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