Pristine moon crater could unlock secrets | Essentials

Pristine moon crater could unlock secrets

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Scientists trying to understand the evolution of impact craters on Earth and other rocky bodies have found a good case study on the moon. Researchers are focusing on Linne Crater, which lies in the moon's Mare Serenitatis region. Linne is just 1. 4 miles (2. 2 kilometers) wide, but it's extremely young — having formed just 10 million years or so ago — and beautifully preserved. Craters don't erode nearly as quickly on the moon as they do on Earth, where wind and water reshape and fill in craters at a rapid clip. But Linne is pristine even for a lunar crater, researchers said; it shows no signs of any subsequent major impacts, retaining its original shape more or less intact. And that shape is a bit of surprise. Scientists had thought simple lunar craters such as Linne should be bowl-shaped.

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Pristine moon crater could unlock secrets

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Scientists trying to understand the evolution of impact craters on Earth and other rocky bodies have found a good case study on the moon. Researchers are focusing on Linne Crater, which lies in the moon's Mare Serenitatis region. Linne is just 1.4 miles (2.2 kilometers) wide, but it's extremely young  and beautifully preserved.

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