What's Covered by the Moon's Dark Side ?
The side of the Moon that cannot be seen from Earth is frequently referred to as the "dark side of the Moon". It is crucial to stress that the Moon does not always have a dark side. Like every other celestial body, it undergoes a cycle of phases, with the two sides receiving sunlight at various periods.
Due to the Moon and Earth being tidally locked, which means that the Moon's rotation on its axis and orbit around the Earth take the same length of time, the phrase "dark side of the Moon" was coined. As a result, the Moon always has one side facing Earth and the other facing away. Instead of the "dark side," this side of the Moon is frequently referred to as the "far side."
Several space flights, most notably the Soviet Union's Luna missions in the 1950s and 1960s and more recently the Chinese Chang'e missions, have greatly improved our understanding of the far side of the Moon. Scientists can now better understand the geological characteristics and composition of the far side thanks to the useful data and photographs that these missions have provided.
The Moon's far side differs noticeably from the side that faces Earth. It has a significantly higher percentage of impact craters, indicating that more asteroids and meteoroids have struck it. Another notable difference is the absence of massive basins like the well-known Imbrium and Serenitatis basins on the near side. Along with having a rougher landscape and a higher height, the far side is also covered in mountain ranges and cratered ground.
The South Pole-Aitken Basin (SPA), one of the biggest and oldest impact basins in the solar system, is a notable feature on the far side. The basin has a circumference of around 2,500 kilometres (1,550 miles) and a depth of about 13 kilometres (8 miles). It is thought to have created some 4 billion years ago when a large object struck the surface of the Moon and left a sizable crater. Scientists researching the geologic history of the Moon are particularly interested in the interior of the basin because of its harsh topography.
The far side of the Moon also has several smaller impact craters, some of which have been named after famous scientists, artists, and explorers, in addition to the South Pole-Aitken Basin. These craters offer important clues about the solar system's past as well as the history of the Moon.
Another characteristic that sets the far side apart from the near side is the lack of expansive maria, or volcanic plains. These ominous volcanic plains may be seen on the Moon's near side and give the classic "man in the Moon" visage. Highlands, which are older and more severely cratered, are mostly seen on the far side. When opposed to the smooth maria, these highlands are made up of rocks that are lighter in colour and have a coarser texture.
Additionally, there are exceptional chances for scientific study on the far side of the Moon. It is the perfect place for radio astronomy because of its position, which protects it from the majority of radio interference produced by Earth. Utilising the Moon's built-in shielding, the Chinese Chang'e 4 mission, which touched down on the far side in January 2019, carried a radio telescope to examine the low-frequency radio waves from the cosmos.
Future expeditions to investigate and research the far side in greater detail are also being planned. These missions attempt to carry out more research on its geology, internal structure, and resource possibilities. Scientists intend to learn more about the Moon's genesis, development, and position in the overall scheme of our solar system by investigating its far side.
In conclusion, the far side of the Moon, sometimes known as the "dark side," is different from the side that faces Earth. The huge South Pole-Aitken Basin is among the several impact craters that make up this region. Its distinctive look is due to the absence of maria, or volcanic plains, and the prevalence of rough hills. Missions that are currently underway and those that will launch in the future will help us learn more about the Moon's far side and its relevance for comprehending the solar system as a whole.
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