Mysteries of the Dark Side of the Moon: What Lies Beyond?
What are the objects on the dark side of the moon?
What is in the photographs is unknown to a wide range of mankind and is not widely covered anywhere in the media.
The official version from the media sounds like this.
Earth's Moon – The far side of the Moon, often referred to as the "dark side," has long captivated scientists and enthusiasts alike with its enigmatic allure. Unlike the near side, which is constantly visible from Earth, the far side remains hidden from direct observation, shrouded in mystery. Recent advancements in space exploration have begun to shed light on the objects and features that reside on this elusive lunar hemisphere.
Craters and Geological Features
One of the most striking features of the far side of the Moon is its heavily cratered surface. The absence of Earth's protective influence has left this side more exposed to asteroid impacts, resulting in a landscape dominated by large and deep craters. Notable examples include the Tsiolkovskiy crater, one of the largest and most prominent impact sites on the far side.
Mare Moscoviense
While the near side of the Moon is characterized by vast lunar maria (dark, basaltic plains), the far side has only one significant mare: Mare Moscoviense. This large, dark basaltic plain is a unique feature on the far side, providing valuable insights into the Moon's geological history and the processes that shaped its surface.
South Pole-Aitken Basin
One of the most intriguing features on the far side is the South Pole-Aitken Basin, the largest and oldest impact crater in the solar system. This massive basin spans approximately 2,500 kilometers in diameter and is believed to have been formed by a colossal impact event early in the Moon's history. The basin's depth and age make it a prime target for scientific study, as it may hold clues to the Moon's internal structure and composition.
Mysterious Anomalies
The far side of the Moon is also home to several mysterious anomalies that have piqued the interest of scientists. One such anomaly is the "mascons" (mass concentrations), areas of higher gravity that suggest the presence of dense, underlying material. These mascons are thought to be remnants of ancient impact events that left behind dense, subsurface deposits.
Chang'e-4 Mission
In a groundbreaking achievement, China's Chang'e-4 mission successfully landed on the far side of the Moon in January 2019. The mission, which included a lander and a rover named Yutu-2, has provided unprecedented data and images from the lunar far side. The findings from Chang'e-4 have offered new insights into the composition and history of the Moon's far side, including the discovery of materials that could be evidence of the Moon's mantle.
Future Exploration
The far side of the Moon continues to be a focus of ongoing and future space missions. NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by 2025, includes plans to explore the lunar far side. Additionally, international collaborations and private space ventures are increasingly turning their attention to the far side, recognizing its scientific and strategic importance.
Radio Astronomy
The far side of the Moon is also of great interest for radio astronomy due to its natural shielding from Earth's radio interference. This unique environment makes it an ideal location for future radio telescopes, which could provide unparalleled observations of the universe.
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