Studies Find Deep Moon Rocks Near Artemis Sites in 2,500-km South Pole-Aitken Basin
Updated
Updated · SciTechDaily · Jul 2
Studies Find Deep Moon Rocks Near Artemis Sites in 2,500-km South Pole-Aitken Basin
1 articles · Updated · SciTechDaily · Jul 2
Summary
Two companion studies indicate mantle-derived lunar rock may lie near the surface in parts of the south polar region, including areas under consideration for future Artemis landings.
Computer simulations traced the South Pole-Aitken basin to a shallow-angle impact from the Moon’s north by a differentiated body with an iron core, explaining the basin’s elongated shape and deep excavation.
Gravity mapping suggests the collision ejected significant crust and mantle material, with later impacts exposing some buried deposits that astronauts or robotic missions could sample without deep drilling.
The South Pole-Aitken basin—among the Moon’s oldest and largest impact features—offers a record of the early Solar System, making these deposits a potential shortcut to studying the Moon’s origin and evolution.
What secrets does the Moon's largest impact scar hold about the early, chaotic history of our Solar System?
Could rocks from the Moon's deep mantle, now near its surface, rewrite the story of Earth's origin?
How will Artemis astronauts find and verify these lunar mantle rocks without drilling deep into the Moon?
Unveiling Deep Lunar Mantle: South Pole-Aitken Basin Discoveries and Artemis Mission Strategies for Sampling the Moon’s Interior
Overview
Recent discoveries have revealed that the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin, the Moon’s oldest and largest impact basin, formed 4.25 billion years ago. This ancient impact was powerful enough to break through the lunar crust and reach the mantle, scattering deep material across the surface. Theoretical models and new gravity data show that mantle material is still present near the surface, especially around future Artemis landing sites. These findings provide a unique opportunity for upcoming missions to directly access and study the Moon’s deep interior, helping scientists better understand the Moon’s formation and early history.