NASA scientists have created the most detailed lunar gravitational map to date, revealing significant differences between the near and far sides of the moon. This map was developed using data from NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission, which orbited the moon from 2011 to 2012. Researchers utilized supercomputers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to analyze variations in gravity during an elliptical orbit around Earth.
Key Findings
- The new gravity model includes tiny variations in gravity caused by tidal deformation, which occurs when a celestial body is influenced by another object’s gravitational force.
- These variations provide critical insights into the moon’s deep internal structure, including its composition and density.
Research Insights
Ryan Park, the lead author of a study published in Nature Astronomy, expressed initial skepticism regarding the team’s findings due to their unexpected nature. He stated:
"When analyzing initial results for this project I was so surprised by them that I had my team run it multiple times just as a check on their code – because you never know what might go wrong with your computer program."
Park’s team conducted these checks three separate times before they were confident in their results. They discovered that volcanic activity billions of years ago may have caused radioactive elements to form in the near side’s mantle, leading to variations in gravity during the moon’s orbit around Earth.
The Role of Radioactive Elements
The study suggests that these radioactive elements may have been produced through interactions between solar wind particles and lunar rocks on both sides of the moon. However, they were found to be more abundant on one side due to geological processes such as:
- Tectonic activity
- Volcanic eruptions
Future Research Directions
By studying these gravitational variations over time using future missions, such as:
- NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
- European Space Agency’s SMART-1 spacecraft
Scientists can gain a better understanding of how our closest celestial neighbor came to be in its current shape and size.
I’m Mark W. Lamplugh Jr., a visionary Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, and best-selling Author with over 25 years of experience driving significant revenue growth and optimizing ROI across the healthcare, wellness, and media industries. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently transformed underperforming operations into thriving ventures by building top-tier marketing organizations, implementing data-driven strategies, and leading transformational change. My empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable leadership style has allowed me to cultivate inclusive cultures of innovation, develop and retain top talent, and forge strong partnerships that fuel organizational success.
Adept in executive leadership, strategic business planning, and brand and marketing strategy, I have a proven track record of boosting annual revenues—achieving up to $1.3B in oncology over three years and generating $360M in mental health initiatives. My approach combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, as evidenced by my success in launching innovative facilities, expanding services for addiction and mental health care, and enhancing organizational brand visibility. As author of “The AI Marketing Playbook,” I contribute thought leadership on the integration of artificial intelligence in marketing, a role that showcases my commitment to staying at the forefront of industry innovation.
I also bring my insights and expertise to a broad audience as the host of cable tv & global streaming of “Street Level Marketing Show,” while my writing has been featured in major publications such as Entrepreneur, Business.com, The Startup, and Kivo Daily. Whether I’m implementing targeted digital marketing campaigns that engage over a million individuals monthly or overseeing multi-million dollar budgets to maximize return on investment, I approach every challenge with a combination of strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and unwavering dedication. Above all, I am passionate about expanding access to high-quality addiction and mental health care through innovative solutions that drive both patient outcomes and organizational growth.
Mark serves on the board of One World for Life, National Fire Heritage Center, and the Institute for Responder Wellness.
Mark (https://marklamplugh.com) is one of the top marketing executives in the United States and has revolutionized how companies reach potential clients thru influence, SEO, social, PR, and traditional marketing. His expertise in Marketing, Social Media, Digital Marketing, and Public Relations has generated millions of dollars in revenue for several national companies. Mark documents many of his techniques in his book “Beginners Guide to Social & Digital Media.” and “Marketing Playbook for Social Media,” which was named the top 100 social media marketing books of all time by Book Authority. He’s also a professional advocate for the behavioral and mental health of firefighters and other first responders. Marks articles have been published in Better Marketing, Startup Magazine, Social Media Today, Kivo Daily, Biz Catalyst 360, Fire Engineering, Firehouse Magazine, and several others.
One of his companies, niches, are marketing products and services to the public safety industry and their employees, specifically mental & behavioral health services. He can be reached for comment at ceo@influencemediasolutions.com
23,000 #1 Connections, 40,000,000 US B2B Contacts and 300,000,000 B2b/B2C email contacts as well as 1,000,000+ monthly social media reach. https://marklamplugh.com
