The ars reports:
Scientists have studied stars many light-years away, exoplanets, black holes, neutron stars, and even the invisible dark matter that permeates every galaxy. Given that, it hardly seems (at first) that the Moon could still surprise us. After all, the study of the Moon is as old as astronomy itself, and it's the only astronomical object a human being has ever set foot on. But a new study suggests that the Moon has a previously undiscovered low-viscosity region, residing just above the core. The region is partially molten, which fits with earlier models that suggest some melting may exist on the core-mantle boundary.
The region, referred to in the study as the "low-viscosity zone," could better explain measurements of tidal dissipation on the Moon. While scientists have previously calculated the effects of Earth's tidal forces on the Moon, none of those calculations have been able to account for certain observations. Specifically, there is a relationship between the Moon's tidal period and its ability to absorb seismic waves, which are converted to heat deep in the Moon's interior. That relationship was unexplained until now.
(Score: 4, Funny) by VLM on Tuesday August 12 2014, @05:03PM
This is the liquid nacho part, WRT the moon being made of cheese.
Someone has probably created a semi-comical set of analogies for layers of the moon and types of cheese. I'd propose Parmesan for the outer crust, and mozzerella for the interior although better analogies are likely possible.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Alfred on Tuesday August 12 2014, @06:08PM
Well your analogy is pretty gouda.
There is probably a more liquid, maybe brie, layer between the crust and semi-solid mozzarella core.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by wonkey_monkey on Tuesday August 12 2014, @06:19PM
Earth doesn't count?
systemd is Roko's Basilisk
(Score: 1) by Buck Feta on Tuesday August 12 2014, @06:55PM
We've never been to the blue planet. "Earth" is a soundstage buried in non-viscous layer of the moon. JFK and Bigfoot have conspired to keep this secret and had to off Elvis when he hinted at the secret.
- fractious political commentary goes here -
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 12 2014, @09:36PM
> Earth doesn't count?
Correct.
How many astronomers do you know that study the Earth?
Earth is a terrestrial object.
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Tuesday August 12 2014, @11:46PM
Earth wasn't just stepped on by humans, it was trampled into the ground.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by frojack on Tuesday August 12 2014, @10:02PM
From TFA
That suggests the core is 1KM in diameter. That hardly seems big enough to still be molten over all the Millennia since the moon's formation, and it seems to differ with what Wiki Says [wikipedia.org] about the moon's core.
Maybe they just worded it wrong and meant 500 meters above the core?
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.