Two Grand Canyon-size features on the far side of the moon were likely formed in about 10 minutes after an unknown object slammed into the moon 3.8 billion years ago.

New research shows that when an asteroid slammed into the moon billions of years ago, it carved out a pair of grand canyons on the lunar far side.

The far side of the Moon has its own versions of the Grand Canyon—two of them, in fact! A new study explains how these deep canyons formed very quickly during an asteroid impact. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny spoke with local planetary scientist David Kring about the findings.

The gigantic cataclysm, which released energy 130 times more powerful than the detonation of the entire world’s atomic arsenal, will facilitate the research of astronauts scheduled for a lunar landing

The vast valleys of Vallis Schrödinger and Vallis Planck demonstrate the incredible forces that shaped the face of the Moon.

An undated artistic rendering shows an asteroid or comet striking near the Moon's south pole about 3.8 billion years ago, an impact that carved out two large craters. Lunar and Planetary Institute/Daniel D. Durda/Handout via REUTERS

Scientists say Vallis Schrödinger and Vallis Planck—dramatic trenches near the lunar south pole—were carved in a blast that unleashed 130 times the amount of energy in Earth's global nuclear weapons i

Scientists found that an asteroid impact carved two massive canyons on the moon in minutes. High-speed debris helped shape the trenches.

New research shows that when an asteroid slammed into the moon billions of years ago, it carved out a pair of grand canyons on the lunar far side.

Researches have determined that ejecta from an ancient asteroid. strike carved out the grand canyons (Vallis Schrödinger and Vallis Planck) in less than 10 minutes.