Samples from China's Chang'e 6 mission have helped scientists determine the age of the Apollo crater on the far side of the Moon at 4.16 billion years. The discovery provides new insights into the early history of the Moon and the solar system.

According to a study published in the journal Nature Astronomy a team of Chinese and international experts examined microscopic rock fragments, 150-350 micrometres in size, from the huge impact that formed Apollo Crater. The analysis of geochemical data and satellite images has allowed the precise dating of this key formation.

The results push back the beginning of the so-called. Late Heavy Bombing (LHB) on the moon more than 100 million years ago. They also confirm that the asteroid impacts were not sudden, but gradually faded, challenging the existing theory of a sharp increase between 3.8 and 4 billion years ago.

Mise Čchang-e 6which launched from China in May 2024 and brought back to Earth 1.93 kilograms of samples from the far side of the Moon a month later, is another milestone in understanding the origin and evolution of our closest cosmic neighbour.

CMG