Asteroid Impact Uncovered at Moon's South Pole After 4 Billion Years

The Moon's South Pole Hides a 4-Billion-Year-Old Secret A team of researchers from the University of Arizona has made a groundbreaking discovery about the Moon's south pole, revealing that a massive asteroid struck the lunar surface around 4 billion years ago. The impact, which occurred from the north, reshaped the Moon's surface and exposed hidden interior layers. According to Dr. Jeff Andrews-Ha, lead researcher on the project, "The South Pole-Aitken Basin, located on the far side of the Moon, was formed as a result of this massive asteroid strike. The impact was so powerful that it excavated materials from the lunar magma ocean and deposited them on the surface." The researchers used advanced computer simulations to model the impact and its effects on the Moon's surface. Their findings suggest that the asteroid struck the north pole at an angle, causing a massive cratering event that reshaped the south polar region. "This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the Moon's geological history," said Dr. Andrews-Ha. "The South Pole-Aitken Basin is one of the largest impact basins on the Moon, and its formation has been shrouded in mystery for decades." The research team believes that the asteroid strike was responsible for exposing deep materials from the Moon's interior, including radioactive elements such as potassium, rare earth elements (REEs), and phosphorus. These elements are known to have accumulated on the near side of the Moon, driving volcanic activity. "The discovery of KREEP elements in the South Pole-Aitken Basin provides a crucial piece of the puzzle in understanding how these elements were distributed on the Moon," said Dr. Andrews-Ha. The findings also have implications for future lunar missions, including NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by 2025. The astronauts will land within the South Pole-Aitken Basin and collect samples that could rewrite lunar history. "The discovery of this massive asteroid impact has significant implications for our understanding of the Moon's geological history," said Dr. Andrews-Ha. "We are excited to see what new discoveries the Artemis mission will bring." Background and Context The Moon is thought to have formed around 4.5 billion years ago, not long after the formation of the Earth. The early solar system was a violent place, with massive asteroids and comets colliding with planetary bodies. These impacts played a crucial role in shaping the Moon's surface. Additional Perspectives Dr. Mark Wieczorek, a geologist at the University of Arizona, noted that "the discovery of this massive asteroid impact has significant implications for our understanding of the Moon's geological history. The South Pole-Aitken Basin is one of the largest impact basins on the Moon, and its formation has been shrouded in mystery for decades." Current Status and Next Developments The research team's findings have been published in a recent issue of Science News. The discovery has significant implications for future lunar missions, including NASA's Artemis program. As the Artemis mission approaches, researchers are eager to see what new discoveries will be made. "We are excited to see what new insights the Artemis mission will bring," said Dr. Andrews-Ha. *Reporting by Sciencedaily.*