Scientists Say The Moon Is ‘Rusting’ And Earth Could Be Responsible. Here's Why

Researchers detected hematite- a form of iron oxide commonly known as rust- on the Moon’s surface, particularly at its poles, raising new questions about how the lunar body is changing. The findings, published in Geophysical Research Letters and reported by Nature, suggest that Earth may play a direct role in the phenomenon. Hematite formation typically requires both oxygen and water, resources scarce on the Moon.

“The findings help in understanding Earth’s deep link to the Moon," said Ziliang Jin, a planetary scientist at Macau University of Science and Technology in China, who co-authored the study.

Why Is The Moon Rusting?

Scientists believe oxygen from Earth’s atmosphere is carried to the Moon during certain lunar phases. Each month, when Earth blocks solar winds for about five days