What is inside the moon?

December 26, 2022 Off By Rory Symes

The Moon is the Earth’s only natural satellite and is an important object in the study of the solar system. Like the Earth, the Moon has a layered structure, with each layer having its own unique characteristics and properties.

The Moon’s interior can be divided into three main layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core.

  1. The crust is the outermost layer of the Moon and is made up of solid rock. It is relatively thin, averaging about 30 kilometers (19 miles) in thickness, and is composed primarily of anorthosite, a type of rock made up of calcium and aluminum.
  2. The mantle is the layer below the crust and is made up of hot, solid rock. It is the largest layer of the Moon and is thought to be composed of minerals such as olivine and pyroxene, similar to the Earth’s mantle.
  3. The core is the innermost layer of the Moon and is thought to be composed of metallic elements such as iron and nickel. It is the smallest layer of the Moon and is thought to be about 350 kilometers (217 miles) in diameter.

In addition to these three main layers, the Moon’s interior also contains a number of other features, including the lunar highlands and the lunar maria.

The lunar highlands are the elevated regions on the Moon’s surface that are characterized by their lighter-colored, rocky terrain. They make up about two-thirds of the Moon’s surface and are thought to be composed of anorthosite.

The lunar maria are the dark, smooth plains on the Moon’s surface that are thought to be made up of basalt, a type of rock formed from cooled lava. They make up about one-third of the Moon’s surface and are thought to be younger than the lunar highlands.

Overall, the Moon is a fascinating object with a layered structure that is similar to the Earth’s, but with some important differences. Understanding what lies within the Moon can help us better understand its formation and evolution, as well as its place in the solar system.