In 1971, Apollo 15 astronauts found a white rock later identified as part of the Moon's ancient crust; the "Genesis rock" was estimated to be around four billion years old

In 1971, the Apollo 15 mission led astronauts to discover a remarkable lunar rock, affectionately termed the 'Genesis rock' due to its age of roughly four billion years. Made up of anorthosite, this specimen serves as a crucial element of the Moon's original crust. Its unearthing highlights the meticulous planning and thorough training undertaken by the astronauts, further buttressing theories concerning the Moon’s cooling from a molten state.