Chandrayaan-3 discovers ancient 160-km crater on Moon, sheds new light on lunar history

India's moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, has identified a 160-kilometer-wide crater near its landing site. This discovery, based on data from the Pragyan rover, has been detailed in Science Direct by scientists from Ahmedabad's Physical Research Laboratory.

The crater was found as the rover explored the moon’s South Pole region, approximately 350 kilometers from the Aitken basin, the moon's largest and oldest impact site. The site's rock and dust are essential for understanding the moon's geological history.

According to the scientists, the crater formed before the Aitken basin, suggesting it is one of the moon’s oldest structures. The rover captured high-resolution images, providing crucial details about the crater’s structure. The report stated, “This presents a rare scientific opportunity to study one of the earliest geological formations on the celestial body.”


The findings offer insights into the early geological evolution of the Moon, adding valuable information to lunar exploration.