Scientists Say Apollo 17 , Lunar Dust Reveals Moon, Is Much Older Than br Previously Thought.br 'The Guardian' reports that researchers believe br they have found evidence to suggest the Moon br is 50 million years older than previously believed.br A team of scientists looked at crystals found br in lunar dust brought to Earth in 1972 br as part of NASA's Apollo 17 mission. .br A team of scientists looked at crystals found br in lunar dust brought to Earth in 1972 br as part of NASA's Apollo 17 mission. .br It’s amazing being able to br have proof that the rock br you’re holding is the oldest bit br of the moon we’ve found so far. br It’s an anchor point for so many br questions about the Earth. , Dr Jennika Greer, Study lead author from br the University of Glasgow, via 'The Guardian' .br When you know how old something is, you can better understand what has happened to it in its history, Dr Jennika Greer, Study lead author from br the University of Glasgow, via 'The Guardian' .br 'The Guardian' reports that scientists believe br a Mars-sized body struck Earth approximately 100 br million years after the formation of our solar system.br The impact is believed to have br ejected a huge mass of material br that would eventually form the moon. .br The high energy generated by the impact meant br the surface of the moon was initially molten br and later solidified as the lunar surface cooled.br The team believes that crystals analyzed in the study were br formed during this cooling process, offering researchers br a way to determine their age and the age of the Moon.br 'The Guardian' reports that previous research has suggested br the moon to be approximately 4.42 billion years old, br however, crystals now may be evidence of an even older date.