[Repeal The 17th]

A simpler explanation would be that
the far side of the moon is exposed to deep space
and whatever may be hurled at it,
while the near side of the moon is shielded from all of that by the earth.

[BenLurkin]

That does make sense. Certainly when looking at the surface. I guess the “twist” here is the researchers are trying to explain the unequal distribution of materials in the mantle. Or something.

[SunkenCiv]

That’s not a simpler explanation, because it’s not an explanation at all. Any part of the surface of the Moon, the Earth, the Sun, any body, is just as exposed as any other, apart from the tiny fraction that would hit the Earth instead of hitting the Moon if everything was lined up just right.

[dayglored]

> A simpler explanation would be that the far side of the moon is exposed to deep space and whatever may be hurled at it, while the near side of the moon is shielded from all of that by the earth.

Nope, the Earth doesn't provide significant shielding for the Moon. It's 8,000 miles in diameter, certainly bigger than the Moon, but it's 300,000 miles distant, meaning it provides a pretty much negligible barrier to space rocks. Visualize 8 vs. 300 -- it's like an 8-inch pie plate at a distance of 25 feet.