Hold onto your moon boots—new research reveals that the Moon is experiencing an unexpected phenomenon: rusting! And it seems that our very own Earth is to blame.

According to groundbreaking findings recently published in Geophysical Research Letters, scientists have discovered that oxygen particles, carried through space by our atmosphere, are turning lunar materials into hematite, the mineral commonly known as rust. This fascinating insight reveals the intricate relationship between Earth and its natural satellite, shedding light on how the Moon records these cosmic interactions over time.

The Science Behind the Rust

For most of the month, both Earth and the Moon are bombarded by charged particles from the Sun. However, for about five days each month, Earth slips between the Sun and the Moon, obstructing this solar onslaught. During this celestial alignment, the Moon becomes vulnerable to particles that have escaped from Earth’s atmosphere—a phenomenon scientists have dubbed 'Earth wind.'