The Biggest Moon Discoveries of the Last Decade

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has been pivotal in lunar exploration since its launch in 2009. It has revealed water ice on the moon, discovered ancient poles, and provided a timeline of asteroid impacts. These findings have transformed our understanding of the moon and the solar system. LRO's continuous presence allows for ongoing research without the need for new missions, highlighting its importance in planetary science.

What was one of the main goals of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission?

• To pave the way for future human exploration of the moon

• To investigate the rings of Saturn

• To explore Mars

• To study the sun's surface

What did the LCROSS mission reveal about the moon's surface?

• It is completely dry

• It has pockets of pure water ice

• It is covered in volcanic ash

• It has a thick atmosphere

What significant discovery did LRO make about the moon's ancient poles?

• They have always been in the same position

• They shifted due to mass movement beneath the surface

• They are made entirely of iron

• They are warmer than the equator

How did the discovery of the moon's ancient poles help scientists?

• It showed the moon's surface is made of gold

• It revealed the moon's atmosphere composition

• It helped understand when the moon's interior was molten

• It provided a specific timeline for the moon's formation

What did LRO's asteroid impact timeline reveal about Earth's craters?

• Earth's craters are older than 500 million years

• Earth has more craters than the moon

• Earth's craters are mostly younger than 300 million years

• Earth's craters are filled with water

What is one implication of the increased asteroid collisions 290 million years ago?

• It suggests a major event in the asteroid belt

• It proves the existence of alien life

• It shows the sun's temperature increased

• It indicates the moon's surface is shrinking

Why is LRO considered especially valuable in planetary science?

• It is the only mission to Mars

• It discovered a new planet

• It allows for real-time data collection without new missions

• It is the first mission to leave the solar system