Researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze millions of images of the lunar surface taken by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. They identified 130,000 images of rocks with interesting features and then manually analyzed half of them.
The team believes the magnetic dust is the result of ancient meteorite impacts that vaporized lunar rocks and then recondensed them to form magnetic particles. The magnetic particles were then picked up by dust storms that frequently occur on the Moon and settled on rocks.
Finding this magnetized dust could help scientists better understand the formation and history of the Moon. This could also have implications for the search for life on the Moon, as magnetic dust may contain organic molecules necessary for life.
Researchers hope the Lunar Vertex mission, scheduled to launch in 2024, can provide more information about magnetic dust on the Moon.
Source: Ferra
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