◇Rabbit on moon created by meteorite

A giant meteorite created a large rabbit shape on the moon over 3.9 billion years ago, according to scientists.

The finding was by researchers at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).

They examined the distribution on the moon of low‐calcium pyroxene, a type of mineral that is easily formed by meteorite collisions. They obtained their data from the Kaguya moon explorer spacecraft.

The researchers found the mineral spread over a basin. The basin is thought to have been created by a meteorite collision. The mineral stretches for around 3,000 kilometers, nearly the same distance as the moon's diameter. The meteorite that created the basin is believed to have been about 300 kilometers in diameter.

The rabbit shape is said to have been made when lava erupted after the meteorite as well as other meteorites hit the moon. The lava made the moon's surface black.

The side of the moon that cannot be seen from the Earth is different. That side is nearly completely white.

毎日ウィークリー１１月１０日号

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