Scientists believe the Moon's largest crater, the South Pole-Aitken Basin, contains remnants of its early mantle and ancient magmatic ocean. This discovery could unlock secrets about the Moon's formation and evolution.
Approximately 4.3 billion years ago, an asteroid impacted the Moon, creating the South Pole-Aitken Basin. This massive crater, spanning 2,400 by 2,050 kilometers, is located on the far side of the Moon.
Researchers suggest that the impact ejected material from the Moon's primary mantle, potentially including remnants of a magmatic ocean. NASA's upcoming lunar missions may collect samples from this area, allowing scientists to determine when the Moon's magmatic ocean formed.
Analysis of the South Pole-Aitken Basin revealed a significant amount of thorium, linked to impact melt. Scientists believe that the crystallizing magmatic ocean seeped into the crust after the asteroid impact.
Furthermore, physicists are re-evaluating our understanding of gravity, suggesting the existence of a fifth fundamental force of nature. These findings challenge the standard cosmological model of the Universe.