Earth's atmosphere has been reaching the Moon for ages, study finds

Technology Dec 15, 2025

Turns out, bits of Earth's atmosphere have been drifting all the way to the Moon for billions of years.
This helps explain why Apollo mission rocks had water and nitrogen—something solar wind alone couldn't account for.
Scientists at the University of Rochester used simulations to show that Earth's magnetic field actually helps send these particles moonward.

Why this matters: Moon dust is like a time capsule

Because Earth's particles keep landing on the Moon, its surface might be storing snapshots of our planet's atmospheric history.
That could help scientists figure out how Earth's air has changed over time—and maybe even provide resources like water for future lunar explorers.
Plus, these findings could shed light on how planets like Mars lost their atmospheres in the past.