Earth's lunar attic

Abstract

The Moon may be a repository for ancient meteorites from other planets, including Venus, Mars, and Earth, according to Armstrong et al. (Icarus 2002;160:183–96). These meteorites originated as matter ejected into space from giant cratering impacts on these planets. As the lunar surface has been tranquil in comparison with the pervasive geological and geochemical evolution of Venus, Mars, and Earth, these meteorites may be well preserved. The value of these rocks is that they could hold a unique record of the chemical history of the planets they originated from and even evidence of life. Unfortunately, recovering these rocks for study will be difficult, as many are buried hundreds of meters beneath the lunar surface.