When we were children, many of us were told playful stories about the world around us, and one of the most famous was that the moon is made of cheese. It was a fun idea to imagine, but of course, it isn’t true. Scientists have now taken another big step in understanding what the moon is really made of, and their findings show something much more fascinating than cheese.
The research confirms that at the very center of the moon lies a solid core, dense and heavy, much like iron. This is a significant discovery because it helps answer long-standing questions about how the moon formed and how it has changed over time. A team of researchers led by astronomer Arthur Briaud studied the moon’s inner structure and found that its core plays a big role in the history of its magnetic field.
Their results suggest that the moon once had a strong magnetic field, which eventually disappeared, and that the inside of the moon has gone through major shifts in its structure. These shifts may connect to key events in the first billion years of the solar system, when the moon and other worlds were hit by constant impacts from asteroids and comets.
To uncover this hidden information, the scientists didn’t rely on digging into the moon’s surface, which would be impossible at such depths. Instead, they examined acoustic waves—vibrations that travel through the moon during what are called moonquakes. These waves act like natural scans, allowing scientists to map out the materials deep below the surface.
By following how these waves move and change, researchers can understand what lies inside. This kind of study is extremely valuable because it adds new detail to the story of how the moon came to be, how it has survived countless collisions, and how it has evolved into the quiet, cratered world we see from Earth today. Learning about the moon also gives us insight into the wider history of the solar system, because the moon has preserved evidence from times when Earth itself was too active and dynamic to hold onto the same kind of record.
While scientists are learning more about the moon’s past, preparations are also being made for its future. Humans are getting ready to return to the lunar surface for the first time in over fifty years. In an unexpected collaboration, the world of fashion is joining forces with space exploration. The famous Italian fashion brand Prada has partnered with NASA and Axiom Space to design the next generation of spacesuits.
These suits will be worn during the Artemis III mission, which will take astronauts back to the moon. This mission will be especially historic because it will be the first time astronauts explore the lunar south pole, a region believed to contain frozen water.
The partnership may sound unusual at first, but Prada is contributing its expertise in materials, design, and innovation to help create a suit that not only looks modern but also works in the extremely harsh environment of the moon. Engineers and scientists at Axiom Space are working alongside Prada’s team to build a suit that will protect astronauts from radiation, extreme temperatures, and the fine lunar dust that covers the surface.
Mike Suffredini, the president and CEO of Axiom Space, explained that the new suits will allow astronauts to work safely and effectively while carrying out research and exploration. He emphasized that this design is not only about short-term missions but also about preparing for a long-term human presence on the moon. The Artemis program aims to make the moon a place where people can live and work for extended periods, and these suits are a step toward that future.
The moon has always fascinated humanity, from childhood stories to serious scientific research. Now, with deeper knowledge about its inner structure and with new technology being developed to help us return, the moon is becoming both a window into the past and a gateway to the future of space exploration.
