What massive impact structure, spanning thousands of kilometers, is located in the rugged terrain near the Moon's South Pole?
Answer
Aitken Basin
The rugged topography prevalent in the South Polar terrain is evidenced by the presence of massive, ancient geological features that have survived billions of years of bombardment. Among these, the Aitken Basin stands out as one of the largest and deepest confirmed impact structures anywhere in the Solar System. Spanning thousands of kilometers across the lunar surface near the pole, this basin underscores the highly fractured and heavily impacted nature of the region. Its sheer scale contributes significantly to the extreme topographical variation that landers must navigate, offering a stark contrast to the smoother, younger mare surfaces found closer to the equator.
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