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lmpact flux on the Moon - EurekAlert

Impact craters, as marks left by the collision of celestial materials, have always been the dominant force in the geological processes of the Moon, profoundly affecting the Moon's internal geodynamics, crustal evolution, and space environment. Due to the Moon's low surface erosion rate and mild geological activity, it has preserved a complete history of impacts of various sizes since its early solidification. The Moon's impact flux further connects planetary endogenous evolution with celestial orbital dynamics, serving as a calibration reference for other terrestrial planets, making it an ideal witness board for studying collision history. Moreover, lunar crater chronology provides a key temporal framework for planetary geology, helping to understand the early orbital evolution of the solar system. In a review article recently published in Space: Science & Technology, scholars from Sun Yat-sen University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin University of Technology, and Shanghai Normal University used samples returned from exploration missions. Based on exposure ages and superimposed crater densities, they constructed the impact crater formation rate throughout the Moon's history. However, existing constraints on anchor points and discrepancies in sample ages and crater densities have led to different versions of lunar crater chronology, affecting detection accuracy. Researchers will continue sample analysis, remote sensing, and modeling to further enhance the understanding of lunar impact flux.

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