Summary
In this episode of StarTalk Podcast, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Chuck Nice are joined by Raquel Nunez, a doctoral candidate at UCLA, to discuss the moon's geological properties and answer questions from listeners. They explain that despite the moon being a familiar object, we actually know very little about it, and it remains a mystery as to how it formed. The Apollo missions brought back around 900 pounds of rock from the moon, revealing that it had an incredible geologic history and had been completely melted at some point. This discovery led to more questions about how the moon formed. They also discuss the possibility of a moon having its own moon, explaining that it is theoretically possible but would require specific conditions to maintain a stable orbit. Additionally, they talk about the moon's regolith, a layer of powder made up of pulverized rocks, and how scientists study it.
The hosts also discuss various aspects of the moon, including its origin, the presence of water, and the similarity of its rocks and minerals to those on Earth. They explain that the moon likely formed from debris that was ejected from Earth after a collision with another object, and that the rocks and minerals on the moon are similar to those on Earth because the moon was formed from Earth's mantle. They also discuss the presence of water on the moon, which can come from comets, meteorites, or the solar wind. The hosts explain that the water on the moon is mostly found in permanently shadowed regions at the poles, where it can remain trapped for billions of years.
The hosts also discuss various topics related to space and astronomy, including the hypothesis that a Mars-sized object called Thea impacted an early Earth and formed the Moon. They clarify that there is no "dark side" of the Moon, only a far side that we never see. Finally, they explain the importance of the Moon in stabilizing the Earth's orbit.
The episode also touches on the possibility of colonizing the moon and the challenges that come with it, such as radiation and lack of atmosphere. The guest expert suggests that instead of sending instruments to the moon, it would be more beneficial to bring back samples to Earth for better analysis. The episode ends with a discussion on the guest's Instagram handle and social media presence.
Overall, this episode provides interesting insights into the moon's geological history and properties, as well as its impact on Earth and potential for future exploration.
