Fact of the week

Moon Dust Smells Like Gunpowder

When astronauts returned from moon missions, they reported an unexpected scent lingering on their spacesuits: the smell of gunpowder. This distinct aroma is attributed to the lunar soil's composition, containing elements like metallic oxides and volatile compounds formed from micrometeorite impacts over millions of years. The interaction of these substances with the vacuum of space may alter their chemical properties, resulting in the unique scent astronauts encountered.