Planetary Scientists Find Evidence of Solar-Driven Change on the Moon

PhD student discovers that solar radiation could be a more important source of lunar iron nanoparticles than previously thought.

Tiny iron nanoparticles unlike any found naturally on Earth are nearly everywhere on the Moon—and scientists are trying to understand why. A new study led by Northern Arizona University doctoral candidate Christian J. Tai Udovicic, in collaboration with associate professor Christopher Edwards, both of NAU’s Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science, uncovered important clues to help understand the surprisingly active lunar surface. In an article recently published in Geophysical Research Letters, the scientists found that solar radiation could be a more important source of lunar iron nanoparticles than previously thought.

Asteroid impacts and solar radiation affect the Moon in unique ways because it lacks the protective magnetic field and atmosphere that protect us here on Earth. Both asteroids and solar radiation break down lunar rocks and soil, forming iron nanoparticles (some smaller, some larger) that are detectable from instruments on satellites orbiting the Moon. The study used data from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (

Iron nanoparticles on the Moon increase in abundance over time, but differ based on their size. Larger iron nanoparticles were found in higher abundances but seem to form slower overall than the smaller iron nanoparticles. Credit: Northern Arizona University