this post was submitted on 09 May 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] cyborganism@lemmy.ca 20 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Isn't moon dust just sand?

[–] cynar@lemmy.world 85 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's sand that has never been exposed to water or oxygen. This leaves various reactive chemicals on the surface that would normally be broken down. The lack of water also means the particles haven't been smoothed off as much. They are sharp and spiky.

The combination of these effects makes the dust quite unique, compared to earth dust.

[–] Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone 18 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It also reportedly smells like gunpowder.

[–] prayer@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Burned or unburned? They are two distinct smells.

[–] Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 1 year ago

Burned, according to the astronauts. I don’t know if the exact mechanism has been published anywhere, but since spent gunpowder has been oxidized I imagine that’s what’s going on with the dust as well.

[–] vind@lemmy.world 25 points 1 year ago (2 children)

50% SiO2, 15% Al2O3, 10% CaO, 10% MgO, 5% TiO2 and 5-15% iron

[–] 0110010001100010@lemmy.world 45 points 1 year ago

And 100% reason to remember the name.

[–] nxdefiant@startrek.website 11 points 1 year ago

All those oxides but the iron is pure? SUS.

[–] Umbrias@beehaw.org 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Sand, but sharp due to a lack of water erosion, and formed mostly from asteroid impacts and thermal cycling. So it's more like glass dust. It's possible it has similar effects on lungs as asbestos, but we don't know for sure.

[–] cyborganism@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago
[–] qjkxbmwvz@startrek.website 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Jack Schmidt = Anakin confirmed.

[–] rustydomino@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

More like Jack Schmidt = Cave Johnson