What is the moon's magnetic field?

The Moon does not have a global magnetic field, unlike the Earth which has a significant one. However, it does have areas of magnetized rocks on its surface which are remnants of the early days of the Solar System. These rocks were formed during a time when the Moon had a magnetic field, about 3.5 to 4.2 billion years ago. The Moon's magnetic field was likely generated by a molten core in its interior, similar to Earth's.

The magnetized rocks on the Moon's surface are found in regions called lunar swirls, which are lighter in color than their surroundings. It is believed that the magnetic field of these rocks affects the charged particles in the solar wind that flow past the Moon, creating a temporary magnetosphere around the Moon. This magnetosphere is much weaker than Earth's, but it still has important effects on the Moon's environment. For example, it can affect the behavior of dust particles on the surface of the Moon.

Despite the absence of a global magnetic field, the study of the Moon's magnetized rocks and their effects on the lunar environment provides important insights into the history and evolution of the Moon, as well as the processes that govern the formation of magnetic fields in rocky bodies.