Scientists have put forth a fascinating idea: the Moon underwent a process akin to turning itself inside out. Here's the scoop:
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1. Background Collision About 4.5 billion years ago, a small planet smashed into a young Earth, sending molten rock flying into space. This material eventually cooled and solidified, forming the Moon as we know it.
2. Titanium Mystery: Researchers have long puzzled over high concentrations of titanium in lunar rocks, especially on the nearside of the Moon. Recent studies shed light on this mystery.
3. Gravitational Instability Heavy minerals, like titanium-rich ilmenite, sank into the Moon's interior due to their density, creating a gravitational imbalance.
4. Transformation Process: Over time, these dense materials mixed with the mantle, melted, and resurfaced as titanium-rich lava flows. Essentially, the Moon's inner layers rose to the surface.
5. New Understanding This revelation challenges previous theories about the Moon's formation and evolution, providing a fresh perspective on its geological history.
The Moon's transformation, as researchers describe it, offers intriguing insights into celestial bodies' dynamic nature.
