It’s sand that has never been exposed to water or oxygen. This leaves various reactive chemicals on the surface that would normally be broken down. The lack of water also means the particles haven’t been smoothed off as much. They are sharp and spiky.
The combination of these effects makes the dust quite unique, compared to earth dust.
Burned, according to the astronauts. I don’t know if the exact mechanism has been published anywhere, but since spent gunpowder has been oxidized I imagine that’s what’s going on with the dust as well.
Sand, but sharp due to a lack of water erosion, and formed mostly from asteroid impacts and thermal cycling. So it’s more like glass dust. It’s possible it has similar effects on lungs as asbestos, but we don’t know for sure.
Isn’t moon dust just sand?
It’s sand that has never been exposed to water or oxygen. This leaves various reactive chemicals on the surface that would normally be broken down. The lack of water also means the particles haven’t been smoothed off as much. They are sharp and spiky.
The combination of these effects makes the dust quite unique, compared to earth dust.
It also reportedly smells like gunpowder.
Burned or unburned? They are two distinct smells.
Burned, according to the astronauts. I don’t know if the exact mechanism has been published anywhere, but since spent gunpowder has been oxidized I imagine that’s what’s going on with the dust as well.
50% SiO2, 15% Al2O3, 10% CaO, 10% MgO, 5% TiO2 and 5-15% iron
And 100% reason to remember the name.
All those oxides but the iron is pure? SUS.
Sand, but sharp due to a lack of water erosion, and formed mostly from asteroid impacts and thermal cycling. So it’s more like glass dust. It’s possible it has similar effects on lungs as asbestos, but we don’t know for sure.
Ah got it.
Jack Schmidt = Anakin confirmed.
More like Jack Schmidt = Cave Johnson