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2002-10-24 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Earth rocks on the Moon
Earlier this month, experts from the world over convened at a NATO Advanced Studies
Institute entitled "Perspectives in Astrobiology"
to discuss current issues in the field. One important question considered was
whether ancient rocks from the EarthÂs surface were ejected during the Late
Heavy Bombardment and deposited on the
Moon. The oldest known
fossils on Earth date back to the end of this period when the Earth was being
continuously bombarded by comets. Earth rocks on the Moon may provide clues as
to whether or not life survived the Late Heavy Bombardment, or arose quickly once
the brutal storm was over. Locating such rocks on the surface of the Moon may
be a difficult task, and some scientists think that astronauts
may be our best bet for spotting them. However, NASA astrobiologist David
McKay believes that once the correct identification techniques are determined,
rovers would be better
suited to sifting through the lunar soil. Earth rocks could potentially be separated
from their lunar counterparts by identifying chemical differences such as the
presence of hydrated minerals, hydrocarbons or carbonates.
McKay adds that, as far as he knows, no one has looked through the Moon
rocks brought home by the Apollo missions for any possible Earth rocks.
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from NASA, Oct 24, 2002
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