Jupiter’s moon Ganymede was struck by asteroid bigger than dinosaur-killing rock
by Ian Sample Science editor from on (#6QE9V)
Impact may have caused largest moon in solar system to swing on its axis, say scientists
The largest moon in the solar system was struck by an ancient asteroid 20 times bigger than the rock that clattered into Earth and ended the reign of the dinosaurs 66m years ago, research suggests.
The devastating impact took place 4bn years ago and caused Ganymede, one of nearly 100 known moons of Jupiter, to spin around such that the impact crater faces almost directly away from the gas giant.
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