The end of the lunar dynamo
Saied Mighani, Huapei Wang, David L. Shuster, Cauê S. Borlina, Claire Nichols, B. P. Weiss
Abstract
Ar studies showing that two lunar breccias cooled in a near-zero magnetic field (<0.1 μT) at 0.44 ± 0.01 and 0.91 ± 0.11 Ga ago, respectively. Combined with previous paleointensity estimates, this indicates that the lunar dynamo likely ceased sometime between ~1.92 and ~0.80 Ga ago. The protracted lifetime of the lunar magnetic field indicates that the late dynamo was likely powered by crystallization of the lunar core.
Topics & Concepts
DynamoDynamo theoryAstrobiologySolar dynamoAstronomyPhysicsMeteorologyMagnetic fieldQuantum mechanicsGeomagnetism and Paleomagnetism StudiesPlanetary Science and ExplorationAstro and Planetary Science