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- 2022-7-2
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- 1970-1-1
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P1 the size and composition of moon’s core size
• Before the age of exploration, mysteries
• Astronomers assumed the moon’s core is smaller than earth’s
} relative and absolute terms
• But: no way to verify
• However, data gathered by LP determine: moon’s core accounts for 20% of radius and 2% of overall mass
P2 the usage of data
• The first way: measure minute variations in radio signals => detect the slightest changes in the craft’s velocity when orbiting the earth.
Inconsistency in the gravitational pull of the moon => changes => ‘gravity map’ of both near and far sides of the moon => reveal the distribution of the moon’s internal mass => small, metallic core, which is mostly composed of iron, a radius of 350 km.
• The second way: moon’s monthly passage => examine the faint magnetic => confirm the result of gravity map.
P3 the implication of the size and composition of the moon’s core
• Understand the moon’s origin
{ if the earth and moon developed in distinct entities, the size of their cores should be more comparable.
Actually, the moon was part of the earth that broke away at the early stage of the earth’s evolution <= asteroid’s impact
Alternatively, fission theory => the early earth spun so quickly => eject materials => mutual gravitational attraction to the moon.
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