Unveiling the Moon's Real Age: Apollo 17 Astronauts' Rock Collection

The moon, constantly accompanying our planet, is only hidden from our view approximately once a month when it aligns with Earth and the sun.

The Earth's largest satellite has always been a fascinating subject that has captivated the creativity of artists and writers throughout history. Additionally, the moon's gravitational pull plays a significant role in creating ocean tides and contributing to the Earth's 24-hour day.

Make sure to take a moment to gaze at the night sky this Saturday evening, as a full hunters moon will illuminate its beauty. Furthermore, fortunate sky-watchers in Europe, Africa, most of Asia, and western Australia will also have the opportunity to witness a partial lunar eclipse, where Earth's shadow appears to nibble away at the moon.

Although the moon is Earths nearest neighbor, many secrets remainmysteries that could be solved by paying a visit to the lunar surface.

Lunar update

Geologist and astronaut Harrison Schmitt used an adjustable sampling scoop to retrieve lunar samples during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

NASA's Apollo 17 mission in 1972 inadvertently unveiled the moon's age as its astronauts, Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt, collected rocks and dust from its surface.

Scientists have recently discovered crystals in lunar dust that provide evidence that the moon is actually 40 million years older than originally estimated. These crystals, which formed 4.46 billion years ago as the moon cooled, were found in samples collected during the Apollo 17 mission. This supports the theory that the moon was created when a Mars-sized object collided with Earth, resulting in a large rocky fragment being expelled into space and eventually becoming the moon.

Trailblazers

Scientists still have limited knowledge about the initial stages of human life. The fusion of sperm and egg triggers intricate processes, leading to the formation of minuscule cells that undergo division and replication until they develop into a human body composed of over 30 trillion cells.

Scientists are eager to unravel the enigma surrounding the initial growth stages of human embryos, particularly during the initial month.

Stem cell advancements are now being employed to fabricate structures that emulate embryos or cells resembling embryos that do not progress into a fetus. Nevertheless, these remarkable achievements have sparked debates concerning the ethical implications of employing embryos for scientific and women's health purposes.

A long time ago

The dinosaur footprints were discovered on a beach next to a café, a car park and a bus stop on England's Isle of Wight.

JBA Consulting/Environment Agency

While researching methods to mitigate coastal erosion and flooding, engineers made an exciting discovery of dinosaur footprints, estimated to be around 125 million years old. These distinct three-toed prints are believed to belong to a mantellisaurus, a herbivorous dinosaur species that thrived during the early Cretaceous Period.

"Dinosaurs coexisting in the vicinity of our team's workplace intertwines the contemporary challenges of tackling climate change with a bygone era that we can only envision," expressed Nick Gray, the regional manager for flood and coastal-risk at the UK Environment Agency.

In a separate discovery, the remains of a Neolithic tomb, dating back 5,000 years, were discovered on the Orkney Islands in Scotland. The excavation site contained over a dozen human skeletons, encompassing individuals from various age groups, with one particularly captivating find – a pair of individuals seemingly engaged in an embrace.

Across the universe

Multiple telescopes witnessed a massive cosmic explosion that released a burst of light brighter than our entire Milky Way galaxy.

The collision of two neutron stars caused an explosion known as a kilonova, which emitted a powerful burst of light. Additionally, the James Webb Space Telescope identified the presence of uncommon chemical elements like tellurium (used for glass tinting) and iodine (essential for life on Earth) in the aftermath of the event.

Once upon a planet

The ancient landscape was discovered beneath the ice, inland from Denman Glacier in East Antarctica shown here.

NASA

Ice-penetrating radar has revealed an ancient landscape concealed beneath the East Antarctic ice sheet. This vast area, spanning the size of Belgium, was shaped by rivers and bore resemblances to the hills and valleys of North Wales. Over 14 million years ago, frozen layers blanketed this landscape, preserving its pristine state.

Stewart Jamieson, a professor at Durham University in the UK, stated that the land beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet is relatively unknown, comparable to the surface of Mars. Gaining insight into this hidden and well-preserved landscape could aid scientists in projecting the ice sheet's future and its response to rising temperatures in the midst of the climate crisis.

Despite the potential destruction, recently declassified photos taken by Cold War-era US spy satellites have unveiled numerous Roman-era forts in Iraq and Syria which were previously unknown, totalling in the hundreds.

These new findings may surprise you:

The Webb telescope spied a never-before-seen, high-speed jet stream racing around Jupiters equator.

New research suggests that listening to melancholic melodies may be beneficial in decreasing the perception of pain.

Evidence found in volcanic rocks on one of the largest islands in the world indicates a possible leakage of ancient helium from Earth's core over millions of years.

If you enjoyed what you just read, there's even more to explore. Register here to have the next edition of Wonder Theory delivered to your inbox. Wonder Theory is a collaborative effort by CNN Space and Science writers Ashley Strickland and Katie Hunt, who delve into the wonders of planets beyond our solar system and uncover fascinating discoveries from ancient times.