Crystals brought back by Apollo astronauts indicate true age of the moon

Crystals brought back by astronauts suggest the Moon is 40 million years older than scientists thought (Danny Lawson/PA)

Crystals brought back by Apollo astronauts in 1972 suggest the moon is 40 million years older than scientists thought, according to new research.

More than four billion years ago a giant object the size of Mars crashed into the Earth, causing a piece to break off of the early Earth and form the moon.