Moon’s largest impact basin may hide mantle material near Artemis landing zone

A new 3D impact study suggests the Moon’s South Pole–Aitken Basin formed when a large differentiated asteroid struck from north to south at a shallow angle.

The model indicates the impact may have concentrated excavated lunar mantle material near the Moon’s south pole.

If confirmed, Artemis astronauts could sample deep interior material from a landing zone without drilling far below the surface.

The result could help scientists study the Moon’s mantle and better understand the basin’s unusual geology.