These Moon Rocks Shouldn’t Be Magnetic — Yet They Are

Why are some rocks on the moon highly magnetic? - Science Tech Updates

A large impact could have briefly amplified the moon's weak magnetic field, creating a momentary spike that was recorded in some lunar rocks. Scientists may have solved the mystery of why the moon shows ancient signs of magnetism although it has no magnetic field today. An impact, such as from a large asteroid, could have generated a cloud of ionized particles that briefly enveloped the moon and amplified its weak magnetic field.

These Moon Rocks Shouldn’t Be Magnetic — Yet They Are

Some lunar rocks have left scientists puzzled for decades. Despite the Moon having no global magnetic field today, samples collected during NASA’s Apollo missions and data from orbiting spacecraft show certain regions of the lunar surface — particularly on the farside — contain rocks with surprisingly strong magnetic signatures. A new study suggests that a massive asteroid impact billions of years ago could be the reason why. How Lunar Rocks Bec…

For years, researchers have been investigating why some rocks on the moon are strongly magnetized, even though the celestial body no longer has its own magnetic field. An ancient asteroid impact could now provide the solution. (Read more)