Scientists studying lunar samples brought back by the Apollo missions claim to have unraveled the mystery surrounding the production of the moon's thin atmosphere. The lunar atmosphere, discovered in the 1960s and 70s during NASA's moon missions, has puzzled researchers for decades due to its comparatively thin nature, which was previously believed to be a result of space weathering. However, a recent study has revealed that meteorite impacts are the primary driver of the moon's atmosphere.

In a new study published in the journal Science Advances, Dr. Nicole Nie and her colleagues from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) analyzed the different forms of potassium and rubidium in lunar soil samples obtained from the Apollo missions. By studying the isotopes of these elements, the team was able to determine the relative contributions of meteorite impacts and solar wind sputtering in the production of the moon's atmosphere.

The researchers found that, due to the moon's weak gravity, atoms from the lunar atmosphere are continuously lost to space or trapped on the lunar surface. Ultraviolet photons from the sun can release the trapped atoms, but to replenish the atmosphere, atoms must be released from within lunar minerals. It was unclear which process, meteorite impacts or solar wind sputtering, played a dominant role in this release.

Using their mathematical model, the team matched the measured isotopic compositions of lunar soils with various space weathering processes. The results indicated that approximately 70% of the moon's atmosphere is formed through impact vaporization, while 30% is attributed to solar wind sputtering.

Dr. Simeon Barber, a senior research fellow at the Open University, hailed the findings as another crucial step in understanding the moon's functioning. He emphasized the importance of exploring new places with spacecraft, taking measurements, and returning samples to Earth for analysis. Dr. Barber also suggested studying the moons of Mars, such as Phobos and Deimos, as potential candidates for future investigations.

The study's findings shed light on the interactions between the moon's surface and atmosphere over extended periods. These insights not only enhance our understanding of space weathering processes but also contribute to the broader understanding of how moons and small planets develop their distinctive features.

As scientists continue to unlock the mysteries of celestial bodies within our solar system, the study of the moon's atmosphere is a significant step towards comprehending the remarkable diversity of these celestial entities.