New Delhi, April 6: NASA’s Artemis Moon mission is drawing closer to the Moon, unveiling fascinating insights about both the lunar surface and Earth. Astronaut Chris Williams recently showcased an image of the 200-million-year-old impact mark known as the Manicouagan Crater through a social media post.
In his post on X, Chris Williams shared intriguing details about the craters on the Moon and Earth. He described the crew’s experiences as they approach the Moon. Williams noted that as the Artemis II crew nears the lunar surface, they will have a direct view of the Moon’s terrain. Notably, the far side of the Moon will reveal numerous craters formed by asteroid and meteorite impacts throughout the solar system’s history. These craters serve as a record of our solar system’s past.
He further explained that Earth has also experienced significant impacts, such as the one that contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs at the end of their era. However, Earth’s plate tectonics, weather, and volcanic activity have erased most ancient craters, obscuring the planet’s impact history. The Moon helps us understand this complete picture and tells a unique story of Earth’s past.
Williams mentioned that while many craters still exist on Earth, they are not as easily visible as those on the Moon. Some, however, are quite prominent. For instance, the Manicouagan Crater in Quebec, Canada, can be easily spotted from the International Space Station. This crater was formed about 200 million years ago when an asteroid approximately 5 kilometers wide collided with Earth. Today, it spans over 70 kilometers in diameter.
In his post, Chris shared that while exercising, he caught a stunning view of the crater through the Cupola window of the ISS. The sight was so breathtaking that he paused his workout to capture the moment.
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