Colossal Asteroid Impact Tilted Largest Moon in Solar System
Researchers from Kobe University have identified a significant asteroid impact on Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede, which occurred around 4 billion years ago. The impactor, estimated to be about 20 times larger than the asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs, created a transient crater between 870 and 1,000 miles in diameter. This massive collision is believed to have shifted Ganymede's rotational axis due to the redistribution of the moon's mass.
The research, led by Hirata Naoyuki, utilized simulations to pinpoint the location and magnitude of the impact. The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, suggest that such a large impact could have profound effects on the moon's internal structure and evolution. However, the thermal and structural effects of the impact have not yet been fully investigated.
Ganymede, known for its subsurface oceans beneath a thick ice shell, has been a subject of interest for understanding the history and evolution of celestial bodies in the Solar System. Future missions, such as the European Space Agency's JUICE space probe set to arrive in 2034, are expected to provide more data on Ganymede and further investigate the consequences of this ancient impact.
