In an astonishing new discovery, researchers have announced what they’ve found from their analyses of Apollo samples returned to Earth in 1972. Exotic sulfur They found distinctly non-terrestrial sulfur deep within the Moon’s mantle. A recent study led by James Dottin, an assistant professor of Earth, environmental, and planetary sciences at Brown University, uncovers surprising clues about the Moon. It supports previous conclusions that the sulfur isotope composition of the Moon differs substantially from Earth.
The analysis was limited to samples that had been extracted from a double drive tube. Apollo 17 astronauts Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt drove this tube 60 centimeters into the lunar regolith. NASA planned for and executed the meticulous, sterile sealing of these samples in a helium chamber. This detailed process maintained their integrity for continued research in the Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis (ANGSA) program.
Surprising Discoveries in Sulfur Isotopes
Through the course of their research, Dottin and his team were surprised to find unexpected sulfur isotope signatures in the lunar samples. Their findings challenge the prevailing belief that the sulfur isotope composition of the Moon’s mantle closely resembles that of Earth.
“Before this, it was thought that the lunar mantle had the same sulfur isotope composition as Earth,” – J. W. Dottin
Dottin’s first response to the findings wasn’t shock. He was flabbergasted by the results. His reaction, “the very first thing that crossed my mind was, ‘Holy shmolies, that can’t be right!’ So we went back and really checked our work to make sure everything was done correctly, and it was. These are just very surprising results.
The study’s findings indicate that there are only two plausible explanations for the anomalous sulfur seen in the Moon’s mantle. Dottin’s results, he emphasized, could point to a long-lost exchange of materials between the surface of the moon and its interior mantle.
Insights into the Moon’s Formation
The favorite explanation for the Moon’s origin points to a thrilling scenario. The explanation goes that a Mars-sized object, which has been nicknamed Theia, collided with the young Earth. This major event is thought to have played an important role in producing the excess sulfur isotopes observed on the terrestrial body as compared with its lunar counterpart.
Experts speculate that Theia’s sulfur signature might have been distinct from Earth’s, allowing for these variations to be recorded in the Moon’s mantle. Scientists had hoped sulfur isotopes would mirror the patterns seen with oxygen isotopes, which display general similarities between the Moon and Earth. The results show a more nuanced picture than that.
Dottin noted, “That would be evidence of ancient exchange of materials from the lunar surface to the mantle.” This surprising find flips everything we thought we knew about the moon’s geology on its head. It brings up fascinating questions about the formation of both Earth and our own natural satellite.
Implications for Future Research
The Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis program has released ANGSA samples to academic researchers. They can only get these samples through a state-like, competitive application process. This initiative encourages further exploration of lunar materials and may lead to more discoveries like those made by Dottin and his team.
Researchers are optimistic that studying sulfur isotopes from Mars and other celestial bodies could eventually provide answers regarding the origins and evolution of our solar system. Dottin expressed hope for future investigations, stating, “I was targeting sulfur that had a texture that would suggest it was erupted with the rock and not added through a different process.”
Scientists are still hard at work studying data from these lunar samples. Overall, their aim is to improve our understanding of the Moon’s geological history and its relationship to Earth and other planetary bodies.