2023•Research Notes of the AASOpen access

Constraints to Efficiently Find Interstellar Object Generated Craters on the Moon

Daniel Chang, Cheng-Han Hsieh, Gregory Laughlin

Abstract

Abstract Recent observations of interstellar objects (ISO) crossing the solar system suggest the possible existence of ISO-generated craters on the Moon. We explore how different crater properties such as age, size, melt, and position can be used to search for ISO-generated craters on the lunar surface. We find that selecting young, small craters with a high volume of melt located away from the lunar poles increases the likelihood of association with a high-speed ISO by 100 fold as compared to selecting randomly, assuming high-speed ISO impacts generate melt. We note that craters from other sources however still massively outnumber ISO-generated craters.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

Why it matters

OpenAlex reports 1 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

Key contribution

A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.

Method / approach

Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Main findings

Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Limitations

Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Applications

Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Available abstract

Key concepts: Impact crater, Lunar craters, Astrobiology, Solar System, Geology, Position (finance), Far side of the Moon, Physics