South-Aitken Pole Basin: Investigators come to the new conclusion after analyzing the first rock samples collected on site by the Chinese mission Chang’e 6.
A South-Aitken Pole Basin, the largest and oldest crater of known impact on the surface of the Lua, Formed 4.25 billion yearsindicates one released in the journal National Science Science Review.
A research team led by Chen Yi, from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the China Academy of Sciences, came to that conclusion after analyzing the First Rock Samples collected on site by the Chinese mission Chang’e 6.
It is thought that this crater, in the so-called hidden side of the moon because it cannot be seen from the earth, formed for a period of intense asteroid bombardment which shaped much of the solar system in its first hundred millions of years.
Despite its importance, the age Exact of the South-Aitken Pole Basin (SPA) was unknown, It considerably varying previous estimates, which makes it difficult to understand their role in lunar and planetary history.
The direct analysis of samples collected in the crater by the Chang’e Mission has allowed scientists to solve the mystery, the Spanish private news agency today indicated.
The investigation team focused on impact cast rocks included in the samples, having analyzed about 1,600 fragments two soil samples, identifying 20 pieces of you want to (Granite species) with textures, mineral composition and geochemical characteristics consistent with an impact origin.
“Our geological studies and lithological analyzes (relating to the formation of rocks) comparatively indicate that the age of 4.25 billion years corresponds to the formation of the spa basin,” said Chen, quoted by Europe Press.
According to scientists, this study provides direct evidence based on samples that the largest impact basin on the moon has formed approximately 320 million years after the birth of the solar systembeing the precise age of 4.25 billion years a fundamental reference point to refine the chronology of the formation of Lunar craters and reorganize the chronology of the initial evolution of the moon.
The findings allow a better understanding of lunar history as well as the dynamic processes that shaped the primitive solar system, they say.
