Article:
Upon investigating the moon’s gravitational field, scientists have discovered an unusual anomaly. This irregularity is believed to be caused by a large concentration of heavy metal lodged deep within the mantle beneath the moon’s South Pole-Aitken basin. The basin in question is the largest preserved impact crater found anywhere within our solar system. The potential explanations proposed for this unusual occurrence provide interesting insights into the geological processes at play.
The Anomaly: Origin and Hypotheses
There are two leading hypotheses that seek to explain the origin of this gravitational anomaly. The first proposes that the heavy metal detected is perhaps from an asteroid that formed the crater but did not sink into the moon’s core, instead becoming embedded within the lunar mantle. The second hypothesis suggests that the sizeable mass could be a concentration of dense oxides formed during the final stage of lunar magma ocean solidification.
These hypotheses have been formulated based on data collected from two NASA missions; the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL)
The GRAIL was a pioneering mission under NASA’s Discovery Program launched in 2011. It involved placing two identical spacecraft known as Ebb and Flow or GRAIL-A and GRAIL-B in orbit around the moon. Their purpose was to map the gravitational field and decipher the moon’s internal structure. The Discovery Program itself commenced in 1992 with a focus on launching smaller, efficient missions aimed at improving our understanding of the solar system.
After serving their purpose, the two spacecraft were powered down and deliberately impacted on the lunar surface on December 17, 2012.
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
In operation since 2009, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission focuses particularly on the moon’s poles. Its main objective is to search for water or ice that could potentially exist in permanently shadowed craters.
| Program | Year | Mission Details |
|---|---|---|
| Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) | 2011 | Map the gravitational field and decipher the moon’s internal structure |
| Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) | 2009 | Search for water or ice in permanently shadowed craters |
In Conclusion
The discovery of the gravitational anomaly has shed new light on the geological processes of the moon. The gathered data, along with the proposed hypotheses, will help scientists further their understanding of the moon’s evolution and its complex geology.
