Old Apollo rocks shed new light on the moon’s magnetic field long ago - AP News
AP News
February 26, 2026
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New analysis of rock samples collected during NASA's Apollo missions has revealed groundbreaking insights into the moon's ancient magnetic field, challenging previous theories about its history and evolution. Scientists have discovered evidence suggesting that the moon once had a strong, long-lived magnetic field, which persisted far longer than previously thought. This finding, published in *Nature Communications*, offers a fresh perspective on the moon's geodynamic past and its relationship with Earth.
The study, conducted by an international team of researchers, analyzed fragments from lunar samples returned by Apollo missions in the 1960s and 1970s. Using advanced dating techniques and magnetic property measurements, they identified traces of a magnetic signal within the rocks that date back billions of years. This suggests that the moon's core was active much earlier than previously believed, potentially generating a magnetic field through dynamo action similar to Earth's.
The implications of this discovery are significant for understanding the moon's internal structure and its interaction with solar wind. A strong magnetic field could have played a role in shielding the lunar surface from harmful radiation and influencing volcanic activity during its formative years. This research also opens new avenues for studying the magnetic histories of other planetary bodies, including Mars and Mercury.
Furthermore, these findings raise intriguing questions about the moon's early environment and its connection to Earth. The presence of a long-lived magnetic field may have been influenced by tidal forces or orbital dynamics with our planet. Such insights could enhance our understanding of how rocky planets, including Earth, develop and sustain magnetic fields over time.
In an era of renewed interest in lunar exploration, these discoveries underscore the importance of revisiting historical data from Apollo missions. By unlocking secrets buried in those rock samples, scientists are not only rewriting the moon's story but also paving the way for future missions to uncover even more about our cosmic neighbor. This research highlights how studying the past can illuminate the possibilities for exploring and understanding the solar system.
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Originally published on AP News on 2/26/2026