Our Moon Once Had an Atmosphere That Faded Away

What if the Moon — now a dead, airless rock — once had a sky of its own? New research reveals that billions of years ago the Moon’s volcanic eruptions may have released so much gas that a real, thin atmosphere formed — possibly thicker than Mars’ atmosphere today. This short-lived lunar air could have created wind, weathering, and even temporary water. But over time, the gases escaped into space, and the Moon lost its air forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices