The number of emerging moon pits is more than what scientists had predicted. Just recently, around 200 craters on earth's natural satellite have been identified.
If there is anything that studies about the moon suggest, it will be about how fast the celestial body has produced hollow spaces on its surface. Crater formation is faster than initially anticipated.
Based on the images garnered by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft, heavy downfall of heavenly bodies have hit the moon for centuries. This revelation implies that the lunar surface is younger than previously thought.
According on a new research, the acquired photos are utilized to quantify the formation of lunar craters due to crashes of meteors, asteroids and related matters. Knowing the rate of crater development depicts the accumulation of impact craters over time which is critical to the relative age assessment of geologic units.
Studies at the Arizona State University introduce a comparative evaluation of moon pits at different intervals. Scientists are able to recognize 222 new craters during the procedure. The results conform to 180 lunar holes measuring at least 10m in diameter that emerge annually. That figure is 33 percent more than what has been predicted using the typical impact frequency method.
Meanwhile, experts have also identified a secondary process of crater formation that is affiliated with collisions involving surface-bound bits of material. Based on this approach, 2 cm of the moon's loose surface matters will undergo changes in around 81,000 years which is a hundred times quicker than previously perceived.
Throughout its billion years of history, the moon has been able to retain its surface marks. The absence of atmosphere on the natural satellite means that erosion is nowhere to be found on earth's closest neighbor. Considering that no activity is in sight, impact retention is maintained. In fact, the footsteps of astronauts remain unperturbed up to this day.
