Humans haven’t been to the Moon in nearly 50 years and that’s part of the reason why we still don’t know what's inside of it. Historically scientists have believed that the Moon has a partially molten core, upon which its mantle sits. But now researchers say they believe the lunar insides are a whole lot like the lunar outsides, that is to say solid through and through.
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00:00 Humans haven't been to the moon in nearly 50 years, and that's part of the reason why
00:07 we still don't know what's inside of it.
00:09 Historically, scientists have believed that the moon has a partially molten core, upon
00:13 which its mantle sits.
00:14 But now researchers say they believe the lunar insides are a whole lot like the lunar outsides.
00:19 That is to say, solid, through and through.
00:21 They looked at the moon with regards to our two current leading theories about its internal
00:25 structures.
00:26 They then compared those to our ever-increasing data set of measurements we have in relation
00:30 to its shape and how it moves through space in relation to Earth.
00:33 The tide specifically, the researchers say, would depend a lot on of course the moon's
00:37 overall density, but also its viscosity and rigidity.
00:41 And they say the Earth also tugs back on the moon, deforming it at certain intervals.
00:45 While this has led researchers to believe some aspect of the moon's interior is molten,
00:49 they say that doesn't have to be true.
00:51 Adding in their new study, quote, "According to the other theory, there is no such molten
00:55 layer and the measured deformation of the moon can be explained by the behavior of solid
00:59 rocks at relatively low temperatures."
01:01 They add that there's only one real way to know for sure.
01:03 We'll have to go back and explore it in person.
01:07 [MUSIC PLAYING]
01:10 (upbeat music)