Researchers Say Moon is 100 Million Younger than Previous Estimates

The moon just got younger.

A new study suggests that the moon is about 4.4 to 4.45 billion years old, almost 100 million years younger than what it was previously estimated to be.

According to the current theory, the natural satellite was created after a large proto-planet hit early earth, creating a vast explosion that sent rocks flying out into space. Gravity got these particles together to form the moon. Earlier studies had estimated that this event took place about 4.56 billion years ago.

The latest study, by researchers at Carnegie Institution of Washington, suggests that the event actually occurred about 4.4 to 4.45 billion years ago. With the moon turning out to be younger than previously thought, scientists might have to reassess the earth's birth date too.

"There are several important implications of this late moon formation that have not yet been worked out," Richard Carlson, of the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, D.C., told Space.com. "For example, if the Earth was already differentiated prior to the giant impact, would the impact have blown off the primordial atmosphere that formed from this earlier epoch of Earth history?"

For the study, Carlson used radioactive carbon dating to estimate the age of lunar rocks collected during the Apollo missions, The Los Angeles Times reported. Previously, researchers have tried estimating moon's age using similar methods, but their work had large error margins. The new study was done using latest technology that helped narrow the margin of error.

Carlson presented his study findings at "Origins of the Moon" meeting of the Royal Society.