The primeval axis rotation of the Moon

Abstract
The palaeopoles of the Moon have been calculated from the palaeomagnetic directions of lunar crustal strata, determined by Coleman, Russell and Hood from Apollo 15 and 16 sub-satellite data. Because of the dominant role of the Coriolis force in the core dynamo hydromagnetics, the lunar dipole magnetic field would have been aligned along the axis of rotation. As the palaeopoles lie in bipolar groupings along 3 different axes, far from the present axis (the magnetizations are dated at 4.2 Ga, 4.0 Ga and 3.85 Ga ago), it is concluded that the Moon was reoriented at least three times. These polar displacements are attributed to the creation of multi-ring basins at these times by the collision of fragments of at least three lunar satellites, the orbits of which decayed by tidal friction. The actual paths of the pole are explained by Euler’s theorem applied to a moon in which the interior can flow by solid state creep.

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