Scientists Discover Gigantic ‘Structure’ Under the Moon’s Surface

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery, unearthing an enormous structure hidden deep beneath the surface of the Moon. This finding is not just a mere curiosity but a significant step forward in understanding the Moon’s geological history.

The moon’s soft white glow and ever-changing shape and size have likely captivated the interest of humans and animals since the beginning of time.

A recent report titled “Deep Structure of the Lunar South Pole-Aitken Basin” revealed that researchers had discovered a structure buried beneath one of the largest known craters in the Solar System under the Moon’s South Pole.

Initial estimations have been completed on the enormous structure, which weighs around 2.18 billion kilograms, according to the report.

Speaking on the discovery, the researchers who have been working on the anomaly have suggested that the gigantic structure may be comprised of metal from the asteroids’ core.

The study’s lead author, Peter B. James, from Houston’s Baylor University, discussed the discovery during an interview with IFLScience.

While it can certainly be hard to picture just how gigantic the structure is, James, who’s currently the assistant professor of planetary geophysics at Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences, shed light on the issue in a written piece on the university’s website.

As the enormous structure is on the far side of the Moon, it could not have been spotted by Earth. However, thanks to NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission, which observes a change in the Moon’s gravitational field, the discovery occurred.

“When we combined that with lunar topography data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, we discovered the unexpectedly large amount of mass hundreds of miles underneath the South Pole-Aitken basin,” said James.

According to James, the structure, “whatever it is, wherever it came from,” produces enough force to weigh the Moon’s basin floor downward by over half a mile.

“We did the math and showed that a sufficiently dispersed core of the asteroid that made the impact could remain suspended in the Moon’s mantle until the present day rather than sinking to the Moon’s core,” James said.

Researchers suggest the South Pole-Aitken basin was created around 4 billion years ago. It is the largest of its kind in the solar system. While larger examples may have once existed, all evidence of these is now lost.

The discovery of the gigantic structure under the Moon’s surface has significant implications for lunar base planning. Understanding this structure’s composition and stability is crucial for selecting safe and resource-rich locations for future bases.

This discovery opens new avenues for scientific research on the Moon. Future missions can focus on studying the structure in detail, providing insights into lunar geology and history.

The GRAIL mission played a huge role in this discovery. GRAIL’s ability to map the Moon’s gravitational field allowed scientists to detect the hidden structure.

Recent advancements in lunar imaging technologies have also contributed to this discovery. High-resolution images and topographic data from orbiters like the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter have provided detailed maps of the Moon’s surface and subsurface.

Similar to the Moon’s hidden structure, Mars’ ice caps have revealed surprising insights about the planet’s climate and potential for life. Both discoveries highlight the importance of subsurface exploration in understanding planetary histories.

The discovery of a subsurface ocean on Jupiter’s moon Europa parallels the Moon’s hidden structure in its potential to reshape our understanding of celestial bodies. Both findings suggest that moons can harbor complex geological features beneath their surfaces.

The composition may include valuable metals and minerals, presenting significant economic opportunities. Mining these resources could support not only lunar missions but also Earth’s industries.

Beyond economic benefits, the structure holds immense scientific value. Studying its composition can reveal new information about the Moon’s geological history and the processes that shaped it.

Some scientists speculate that the structure could be a remnant of an ancient lunar volcanic activity. If true, this could indicate that the Moon once had a more dynamic geological history than previously thought.

While highly speculative, some fringe theories propose that the structure might be an ancient alien megastructure. Although not widely accepted, such ideas spark public interest and debate, encouraging more people to engage with space science.

The Moon’s South Pole-Aitken Basin serves as a natural laboratory for studying catastrophic impact events. The discovery of the hidden structure within this basin provides a unique opportunity to understand the effects of large asteroid impacts.

The Moon’s structure can also provide valuable insights into the process behind planet formation. By studying how such structures form and evolve, scientists can develop better models of planetary development.