Subscribe now

Earth

Earth is coated in ancient space dust that could be from the moon

A 33-million-year-old layer of Earth's crust is laced with helium-3, which is normally only found in space. Now we might have an explanation for how it got there

By Alex Wilkins

24 July 2023

Earth as seen by the Apollo 11 astronauts floating above the moon

NASA

A mysterious layer of space dust that coated Earth millions of years ago could be shrapnel from asteroids that smashed into the moon, according to a new analysis of soil from below the sea floor.

In the 1990s, geologists found unusually raised levels of helium-3 across Earth’s crust, dating back to around 33 million years ago. This was puzzling because the isotope almost always appears only in objects from space, as a result of bombardment by cosmic rays.…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 28th October 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account