The depressions that can be seen on most of the surface of the solar system's largest moon, Ganymede, were probably the result of a collision with a celestial body about 150 kilometers in diameter.. Japanese scientists came to such conclusions, according to Forbes..

Ganymede is the largest of Jupiter's 79 moons.. It is larger than Pluto and Mercury, its diameter is 5268 kilometers.. It is the only known satellite of the planet with its own magnetic field.. Ganymede also has an atmosphere and is thought to have a salty ocean below the surface..

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The surface of Ganymede is pockmarked, striated and patterned. In their article, scientists argue that these furrows are part of a concentric system of tectonic troughs..

“If this multi-ring structure is of impact origin, then this is the largest impact structure known in the solar system.. Estimating the size of the object that fell is difficult, but a diameter of about 150 kilometers is consistent with the observed properties of the furrows, ”the scientists said..

In the course of the study, scientists studied images of Ganymede taken in 1979 by Voyagers, as well as by the Galileo apparatus, which orbited the moon of Jupiter in 2001-2003.. Pictures of Ganymede were taken by the Juno station in June 2021.

The theory of scientists can be confirmed by observations made using the mission of the European Space Agency JUICE (Jupiter Icy moon Explorer). Scheduled to launch April 5-25, 2023, it will arrive in the Jupiter system in 2031 and spend 3.5 years studying the gas giant and its moons Callisto and Europa. In 2032, the station will move into the orbit of Ganymede and become the first apparatus that revolves around the planet's satellite, except for those that study the moon..

Previously, scientists from were able to explain what forces lead to the formation of giant cyclones on Jupiter. Researchers have found evidence for the hypothesis that moist convection - when hotter, less dense air rises - is the driving force behind these cyclones..