Despite lacking air and water, the Moon hosts hematite—an oxidized iron mineral. Scientists discovered Earth’s escaping oxygen drives this rusting process during the Moon’s passage through the ...

A new investigation into rust on the Moon implicates Earth as the culprit. Oxygen leaking out of Earth is likely responsible for the transformation of iron to hematite (Fe 2 O 3) at the lunar poles.

Planetary scientists have discovered haematite, a type of iron oxide sometimes known as rust, on the Moon's surface, particularly near the poles. Scientists were astonished to discover that the Moon ...