Scientists have uncovered new details about the Moon's largest and oldest crater, the South Pole-Aitken Basin, suggesting it may be even larger than previously believed.
This enormous crater, spanning about a quarter of the Moon's surface, holds clues to the Moon's early history and evolution.
Moon's South Pole Crater Reveals New Clues About Lunar History
According to ScienceAlert, the South Pole-Aitken Basin, formed over 4 billion years ago, has long intrigued scientists. Previous studies suggested it was created by an oblique impact, resulting in an oval-shaped crater with debris concentrated in one direction.
However, new research from the University of Maryland indicates that the impact may have been more direct, creating a rounder, more symmetrical basin.
To investigate, researchers used high-resolution data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. They analyzed more than 200 mountainous features around the crater, believed to be remnants of the original impact rim.
Their findings revealed a circular pattern, indicating a vertical collision rather than a shallow one.
This vertical impact likely caused material from the Moon's crust and mantle to scatter evenly around the site. These materials, preserved for billions of years, could offer vital insights into the Moon's composition and its formation.
Unlike Earth, the Moon lacks weathering processes that would erase such evidence, making it a natural time capsule of solar system history.
Chandrayaan-3 and Artemis: Teaming Up to Solve Lunar Mysteries
The implications for future lunar missions, such as NASA's Artemis program, are significant. The Artemis astronauts, who will explore the Moon's south pole, might have unprecedented access to ancient rocks from the Moon's deep interior.
These samples could provide crucial data about the Moon's origins, which scientists theorize involved a colossal collision between Earth and another planet-sized object.
Supporting this theory, India's Chandrayaan-3 rover recently detected minerals near the lunar south pole, consistent with materials from the Moon's mantle, PhysOrg said.
This aligns with the idea that a vertical impact created a circular crater, distributing mantle debris across the region.
Lead researcher Hannes Bernhardt explained that understanding the crater's structure helps paint a clearer picture of the Moon's history.
The study not only challenges previous assumptions but also offers a roadmap for future lunar exploration.
The South Pole-Aitken Basin continues to reveal its secrets, offering a window into the Moon's dramatic past. As new missions venture to this ancient site, they may unlock mysteries that reshape our understanding of how the Moon and our solar system came to be.
