Last Updated on July 5, 2022
Since the beginning of the earth, the Moon has had a magnetic and seductive natural spectacle with a considerable impact on several aspects of the planet.
Many have asked what kind of effects the Moon’s power has. Now that we’re exploring solar systems, we have a better understanding.
What are Moon Rocks?
During moon excursions, astronauts collect samples of lunar rock. The moon’s crust is made up of several varieties of rocks, including basalt, anorthosite, breccia, and regolith. The mineral composition of lunar rock samples from various locations is unique.
The highlands’ granites, gabbros, and volcanic rocks are all represented in the collectible items. Much of the granite from this area is light-colored and grey or white, with many basalts, breccias, and plutonic stones included. The Genesis rock has been determined to be about 4.1 billion years old.
Can you buy Moon Rocks?
It is prohibited for private individuals to own or purchase genuine Moon Rocks or anything related to them. Lunar samples taken on Earth from lunar meteorite finds are lawful.
Despite the fact that many people have claimed to own genuine Moon rocks, there are rules and laws in place that prohibit this.
Since only those who are involved in its collection and study have access to these specimens, they should never end up in the hands of the general public.
However, as with all valuables and desired items, they are illegally sold and marketed. While some individuals have succeeded in obtaining Moon rocks from safes, others have scraped Moon Dust off of filthy space suits in order to sell it to the highest bidder.
Some resorts to outright fraud in addition to currently illegal trade. They frequently utilize other minerals and rock formations with comparable visual or physical characteristics, claiming them to be Moon Rocks.
Why is it Illegal to Sell Moon Rocks?
Apollo Moon Rocks are considered to be National Treasures and, as a result, may not be sold. Those who commit the crime of stealing federal property can face felony charges and imprisonment. There are a few Soviet Luna mission Moon Rocks that are legal to sell in limited amounts.
It’s also forbidden to sell Moon Rocks since, as previously stated, no private individual is permitted to own any amount of Moon Rock unless directly given by NASA under a non-sale policy.
Moon Rocks are illegal to sell and distribute, but undercover cops are frequently utilized to arrest unlawful Moon Rock suppliers.
The few thousand lunar samples are occasionally loaned to museums for study. However, this has frequently led to moon rocks being stolen or misplaced.
It’s unclear how Moon Rocks get into the hands of civilians, but it’s been documented that there are thieves, black market organizations, and unlawful crime rings involved. Law enforcement personnel and undercover NASA investigators have been attempting to discover out more about it, and they’ve made a number of related arrests.
Can you loan Moon Rocks?
You may borrow Moon Rocks from the STFC and the NASA Astromaterials Curation Office. For educational purposes, specimens have been given to thousands of schools, museums, and outreach organizations.
Thousands of individuals have been privileged with the opportunity to borrow the moon and enjoy a private temporary experience with Moon Rocks thanks to the STC Lunar Rocks and Meteorites Loan Scheme. They also provide loan access to Natural History Museum meteorites.
The STFC is the only organization permitted to loan NASA Moon Rocks, lunar soil, and comparable precious materials. Loans are not generally offered to individual people, but rather to educational or scientific institutions in the United Kingdom.
Moon maps and photo slides are included to assist with varying ages, as well as informative assistance for all levels.
The NASA Astromaterials Curation Office, which is part of the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Directorate, may acquire and distribute lunar samples and rocks for educational purposes.
They also sponsor the Lunar and Meteorite Sample Education Disk Program, which provides samples to educational institutions such as K-12 schools, colleges, and universities for a two-week loan period.
How much is a piece of Moon Rock worth?
Following the return of stolen Moon Rocks to custody after a group of NASA interns robbed an entire Moon Rock safe from a Johnson Space Center lab in 2003, the federal government decided to put a price on some of its Moon Rocks.
Moon rocks were valued at $50,800 per gram by NASA in 1973, which equals roughly $300,000 per gram in today’s money.
Despite the fact that NASA valued moon rocks and soil at over $300,000 per gram, a moon rock would cost considerably more than this.
