Moon May Be Geologically Active

dptalia writes, "For decades scientist have thought that the moon has been 'dead' for about 1 to 3 billion years. However, new research points to the idea that the moon may have been volcanically active as recently as 1 million years ago. In fact, NASA geophysicist Paul Lowman believes the moon's core is still molten."

Comments

Molten Core = Magnetic Field

[casualsax3]

The fact that the moon as a very weak magnetic field is almost proof in and of itself that it doesn't have a molten core:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field#Magnet ic_field_of_celestial_bodies

it's not the size of the field...

[Red Flayer]

it's the presence of a dipole. (There's some really terrible doulbe entendres to get from that, but I'll pass onthe opportunity).

by casualsax3 (875131) Alter Relationship on Thursday November 09, @12:30PM (#16787241):

The fact that the moon as a very weak magnetic field is almost proof in and of itself that it doesn't have a molten core:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field#Magnet ic_field_of_celestial_bodies [wikipedia.org]

The moon's sidereal period is over 27 days, a strong magnetic field would not be expected. The major indicator that a molten core is not present is the lack of a dipolar field -- which a geodynamo (from the molten core) would cause.