Lunar samples record an impact 4.2 billion years ago that may have formed the Serenitatis Basin

Abstract Impact cratering on the Moon and derived size-frequency distribution functions of lunar impact craters are used to determine ages unsampled planetary surfaces across Solar System. Radiometric dating samples provides an absolute age baseline, however, crater-chronology for remain poorly constrained beyond 3.9 billion years. Here we present U–Pb geochronology phosphate minerals within shocked norites a boulder from Apollo 17 Station 8. These record older event around 4.2 years ago, younger disturbance at 0.5 ago. Based nanoscale observations using atom probe tomography, records, simulations, ascribe formation large Serenitatis Basin possibly that Dawes crater. This suggests formed unrelated or in early stages protracted Late Heavy Bombardment.