14 DAY TRIAL // Yesterday, March 16, Purdue University scientists announced the discovery of a previously unknown crater on the surface of the moon. The crater, temporarily named after aviator Amelia Earhart, was discovered using data provided by NASA's GRAIL mission.
The team of researchers behind this find say that the crater appears to measure about 124 miles (roughly 200 kilometers) across. The reason it took so long to find it is that most of it is buried in the lunar surface and, therefore, hidden from view.
According to Purdue University scientist and study leader Jay Melosh, the recently discovered Earhart crater counts itself among the absolute biggest to have until now been discovered on the surface of our planet's natural satellite.
Folks at the International Astronomical Union are yet to go ahead and officially name the crater after world-famous aviator Amelia Earhart, who died in 1937 while trying to fly around the globe. One can only hope that the crater will get to keep its moniker.
“Craters are named after explorers or scientists, and Amelia Earhart had not yet received this honor. She attempted a flight around the world, and we thought she deserved to make it all the way to the moon for inspiring so many future explorers and astronauts,” said researcher Jay Melosh.
