Planetary Science Seminar fall-2022

Dynamo magnetic fields are like the heartbearts of planets – invisible, yet detectable signals of activity within a body’s interior.  Remanent magnetism preserved in the lunar crust and paleomagnetic studies of Apollo samples collectively indicate that the ancient Moon likely generated a magnetic field.  However, the paleointensity history, longevity, and underlying driving mechanisms of the lunar dynamo are debated.  Here we discuss the latest developments in our understanding of the Moon’s enigmatic magnetic history.