A new study that reveals the Aitken Basin is larger and less elliptical than previously believed.
Scientists have uncovered a surprising new dimension of the Aitken Basin, the largest crater on the Moon and one of the largest known in the solar system. According to a recent study, this immense lunar feature is more extensive and circular than experts once thought, offering fresh insights into the Moon’s origins.
A growing crater. The Aitken Basin didn’t physically expand, but its size has been redefined. The new study suggests the crater is even larger than previously estimated, a finding that could deepen the understanding of the Moon’s formation and early history.
Ancient and unexplored. Located near the Moon’s South Pole, the Aitken Basin isn’t only the largest but also the oldest crater on the Moon. Scientists believe it was formed roughly 4 billion years ago.
Its immense age and size present unique challenges for researchers. While the Moon lacks erosion or sedimentation processes found on Earth, billions of years of asteroid impacts have altered the crater’s appearance, complicating efforts to study its original features, according to the study’s authors.
Larger and more circular. Previously, experts described the Aitken Basin as relatively elliptical, leading to the assumption that it was formed by an oblique asteroid impact. However, the new research reevaluated its perimeter and found it to be both larger and more circular. This suggests the impact that created the basin was more direct than previously believed.
The revised data, researchers say, could help refine models of the Moon’s history and early impacts in the solar system.
Over 200 mountain formations identified. Using data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, the research team identified more than 200 mountain formations around the Aitken Basin. These formations are believed to be remnants of the debris from the massive impact that created the basin.
By analyzing the distribution and shapes of these “mountain-like formations,” the researchers concluded that the impact produced a more circular crater than previously thought. Their findings were published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
In the spotlight. The implications of a more direct impact extend beyond the crater’s shape—they also affect the distribution of debris from the collision. Future lunar missions may study these scattered rocks to gain further insights into the Moon’s past.
The South Pole, where the Aitken Basin is located, has become a key focus of lunar exploration. Water deposits in the area make it particularly attractive for future missions, including NASA’s Artemis program. Additionally, India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission recently identified minerals in the region, potentially linked to the ancient impact that formed the basin.
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