Study finds asteroid impact created two large canyons on the moon

A new study reveals that an asteroid impact billions of years ago created two large canyons on the moon, similar in size to Earth's Grand Canyon. The impact occurred near the moon's south pole, specifically in the Schrödinger impact basin. Researchers estimate the asteroid was about 25 kilometers wide and struck at a speed of 55,000 kilometers per hour. The impact likely happened around 3.8 billion years ago, forming the canyons in under 10 minutes. The findings suggest that debris from the impact was ejected away from the south pole, which may facilitate future lunar exploration by astronauts. NASA plans to return astronauts to the moon under its Artemis program, with a landing attempt expected in the coming years.