New Research Reveals the Moon Is Older Than Previously Believed

Scientists estimate the Moon's age at 4.43 to 4.53 billion years, revising earlier assumptions based on lunar surface cooling data.

A study by researchers from the US, France, and Germany suggests the Moon is 80 to 180 million years older than previously thought.
Previous age estimates of 4.35 billion years were based on the cooling of magma on the Moon's surface, not its actual formation.
The Moon likely formed from debris after a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body named Theia around 4.5 billion years ago.
Strong tidal forces from Earth shortly after the Moon's formation caused internal heating and surface magma eruptions, complicating age estimates.
The revised age range aligns better with dynamic models of planetary formation in the early solar system.