A study published in Nature examines the South Pole-Aitken basin, a massive impact crater on the moon's far side formed about 4.3 billion years ago by a large asteroid, providing crucial insights into lunar history.

Analysis of the impact suggests the asteroid struck from the north, creating a teardrop-shaped crater with debris layers thicker on the southern rim and thinner on the northern side, supporting the idea of an uneven impact distribution.

This impact and subsequent crust formation contributed to the lunar crust's asymmetry, with residual magma being pushed toward the near side as the crust thickened on the far side.

The concentration of KREEP (potassium, rare earth elements, phosphorus) materials on the moon's near side has driven higher volcanic activity, forming the lunar dark plains and contributing to the crustal asymmetry.

Future lunar sample collection by Artemis astronauts is expected to significantly advance understanding of early lunar processes, composition, and the moon's formation and evolution.

Scientists, including Jeffrey Andrews-Hanna from the University of Arizona, believe the moon's south pole region holds key clues about the moon's early history, which upcoming Artemis missions may explore.

These future samples are anticipated to help refine models of the moon's early magma ocean and address longstanding questions about its asymmetric crust and internal structure.

Evidence from the South Pole-Aitken site shows radioactive thorium distribution, supporting the theory that uneven magma ocean cooling led to more radioactive materials on the near side.

Recent research indicates that the moon's impact history and internal structure are asymmetrical, with the southern hemisphere heavily cratered and the northern side richer in KREEP materials.