Lunar rocks collected by Apollo astronauts many years ago are helping scientists better understand the moon’s magnetic field. A recent study from the University of Oxford shows that the moon’s magnetic field was usually weak but became very strong for short, temporary periods between 3 billion and 4 billion years ago. During these times, the field was even more powerful than Earth’s. Magnetic fields can protect planets from harmful radiation, so studying them is important for science.

Researchers studied earlier data and found that the magnetic activity changed depending on the amount of titanium in the rocks. This evidence came from samples collected during Apollo missions, especially from areas rich in titanium. Scientists believe volcanic activity brought these materials to the surface. Future Artemis missions will explore a different region of the moon, especially near the south pole. These new samples may help scientists understand how the moon’s magnetic field changed over time and give more information about space environments.