Animation, Editing

Using the LROC Narrow Angle Camera, scientists found more than 200 new impact craters on the Moon during the LRO mission. These craters vary in size from a few meters to 43 meters wide. By studying the number and sizes of the craters, they estimated how often new craters form on the Moon and found more than expected. The craters have patterns around them that show material thrown out when they were made. The study also uncovered many small surface changes called "splotches," likely caused by small impacts, near the new craters. Finding these splotches changed scientists' ideas about how quickly the surface of the Moon changes, suggesting it changes over 100 times faster than previously thought. This information is important for designing future Moon bases.

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