Core Findings - The research team from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has determined that the Apollo Basin, located within the South Pole-Aitken Basin, formed 4.16 billion years ago, pushing back the start of the late heavy bombardment period by at least 100 million years [1][2] - This finding contradicts the traditional hypothesis of a sudden increase in impact intensity during the late heavy bombardment, providing a clearer understanding of the early solar system's tumultuous history [1][2] Research Methodology - The team analyzed a 3.5-gram lunar soil sample from the Chang'e 6 mission, identifying three small rock fragments (150-350 micrometers) that formed under high temperatures during the basin's creation, acting as a "time capsule" [2] - By accurately dating these fragments and integrating remote sensing images and geochemical data, the researchers confirmed the age of the Apollo Basin as 4.16 billion years, resolving the "rock clock" mystery [2] Implications of Findings - The precise age of the Apollo Basin serves as a critical anchor point for understanding the impact history of the solar system, allowing scientists to reconstruct a more complete narrative of solar system dynamics [2] - This discovery also sheds light on Earth's early history, suggesting that as a planet closer to the Sun, Earth may have experienced more intense bombardment, potentially influencing the origin and evolution of life [2][3]

Core Viewpoint - The research team from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has accurately determined that the Apollo Basin on the Moon formed 4.16 billion years ago, pushing back the start time of the "impact storm" in the solar system by at least 100 million years and challenging the traditional hypothesis of a sudden increase in impact intensity [1][2]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study published on August 20 in Nature Astronomy reveals that the Apollo Basin's formation age is a key anchor point for understanding the impact history of the solar system [2][3]. - The research involved analyzing 3.5 grams of lunar soil, from which three small rock fragments were identified, confirming the age of the Apollo Basin [2]. - The findings indicate that the impact flux gradually decreased during the "impact storm" period, contradicting the hypothesis of a sudden increase in impact events around 3.8 to 4 billion years ago [2][3]. Group 2: Implications - The precise age of the Apollo Basin aids in reconstructing a more complete history of solar system dynamics and provides insights into the early history of Earth, suggesting that Earth may have experienced more intense bombardment due to its proximity to the Sun [2][3]. - This discovery contributes to the broader understanding of cosmic evolution, with each precise dating adding crucial pieces to the puzzle of the universe's history [3].