May 12, 2025
Science

Why does the moon have an atmosphere and the planet Pluto does not? Actually it was a long time ago!

  • June 30, 2024
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The moon, which shines in the sky at night, actually has a very interesting structure. Unlike the Earth The moon has no permanent atmosphere. So why? There are

Why does the moon have an atmosphere and the planet Pluto does not?  Actually it was a long time ago!

The moon, which shines in the sky at night, actually has a very interesting structure. Unlike the Earth The moon has no permanent atmosphere. So why?

There are several behind this situation cause lies…

One of the main reasons why there is no atmosphere is the absence of a magnetic field.

Moon

Large planets like Earth maintain their atmospheres thanks to their strong gravity and magnetic fields. Like the moon what a strong gravity nor does it have a protective magnetic field.

This situation is that of the moon to the influence of solar winds ensures that it is open. Particles coming from the sun easily blow the gas particles on the surface into space. Due to the weak gravity, these gases cannot remain on the moon and escape into space.

Weak gravity means low escape velocity.

moon surface

While the escape velocity from the Earth’s surface is 11.2 km/s, this speed is It’s only 2.37 km/h. This means that it is much easier for gas molecules to escape from the moon.

For example light gases such as hydrogen and helium, They can easily gain enough speed on the moon’s surface to escape into space.

Another reason why there is no atmosphere on the moon is tectonic and volcanic activities is its absence.

Volcanic activities cause gas emissions that renew the atmospheres of planets. However, since there is no such activity on the moon, the atmosphere cannot be renewed and the existing gases escape into space with solar wind or at their own speed.

Igneous rock samples returned from the moon during the Apollo missions show that there was once a dense atmosphere.

moon atmosphere

Atmosphere, approx. Formed 3.5 to 3.8 billion years ago and was twice as dense as Mars’ current atmosphere. During this period, the moon was filled with gases that rose to the surface as a result of volcanic activities and meteor collisions.

The moon’s atmosphere was composed mainly of carbon dioxide and also contained water vapor, meaning the atmosphere could only exist on the surface for a short time. Liquid water may have been found shows.

However, the atmosphere is about It could take 35 to 40 million years and then disappeared due to solar wind and low gravity.

Sources: Medium, Forbes

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