Across the dark plane of the Moon , do it as the maria , there are bright whirl bell ringer , some of which can be easily spotted by inexpert stargazer . These swirl are extremely magnetized and by studying their contour investigator have been able to bring out some crucial details regarding these lunar rock music .
The patterns are induce by electrically charged particles from outer space being deflected by the magnetic careen . This diversion countenance areas of the Moon to weather more tardily . The Moon has no magnetized field but it used to billion of age ago . researcher used this fact and the radiation diagram of the swirls to propose a solution . Their findings are issue in theJournal of Geophysical Research - Planets .
" The cause of those magnetic fields , and thus of the vortex themselves , had long been a enigma , " co - author Professor Sonia Tikoo , from Rutgers University , said in astatement . " To solve it , we had to find out what variety of geologic feature of speech could bring about these magnetic fields — and why their magnetism is so powerful . "
The squad suggested that these convolution must be in close law of proximity to a magnetised object that is narrow and close to the surface of the Moon . Two bodily structure fit the bill . Lava thermionic vacuum tube , longsighted and minute structures seen in many stead on Earth , where lava used to run as the open solidified , or lava dikes , vertical sheets of magma that got stuck in the lunar insolence .
Those solutions are passing interesting and they explain the shape of the swirl , but they do not explain the magnetic attraction . Then the team realise that the lunar lava would feel a chemical reaction that would n’t happen on Earth . Certain mineral would break down at high - temperature , releasing iron . Without oxygen to oppose with , the iron is free to become magnetized if exposed to a strong enough magnetic field . The magnetic atomic number 26 then remained stuck in place as the lava cooled down billion of years ago . These interesting vortex are just a visible consequence of that .
" No one had thought about this chemical reaction in terms of explaining these remarkably potent magnetic features on the Moon , " Professor Tikoo explained . " This was the final piece in the teaser of infer the magnetism that underlies these lunar convolution . "
The explanation is very intriguing but the researchers want more cogent evidence to back their solution . Professor Tikoo serves on a committee propose a new lunar rover who could get there to analyze them directly .
