Lunar soil specimens retrieved and delivered to Earth
The Chang'e 6 mission, launched from Hainan Island on May 3, has provided groundbreaking insights into the geological differences between the near and far sides of the Moon. On June 1, the mission's lander successfully touched down in the Apollo Crater, situated within the South Pole-Aitken basin – one of the largest impact craters on the Moon and a major site of interest to scientists.
The South Pole-Aitken basin, with its rugged highlands and distinct compositional features, stands in stark contrast to the near side's thin crust, extensive volcanic maria, and extensive basalt coverage. This dichotomy can be traced back to the Moon's formation, internal structure, and impact history.
Research conducted by the Chang'e 6 mission and related studies have revealed several key points explaining these differences. For instance, the far side's crust is about 15 km thicker on average than the near side, which inhibited widespread volcanism on the far side. Additionally, the far side's mantle is more reduced (elements in lower oxidation states), drier, and chemically different from the near side, suggesting variations in the Moon’s internal chemistry and evolution.
Furthermore, the South Pole-Aitken Basin houses an unexpectedly large, dense buried mass, possibly remnants of the asteroid’s metal core, contributing to the unique geology on the far side. This discovery highlights the impact history's role in shaping the Moon's geology.
Following the collection of samples, an ascent vehicle launched the collected samples from the lunar surface to dock with the orbiter on June 6. Early Tuesday, the probe finally landed in Inner Mongolia, a region in the far north of China. The collected samples, weighing approximately two kilograms, will be transported to a laboratory in Beijing for examination.
The Chang'e-6 probe carried several scientific instruments, including a mineral spectral analysis instrument and a structure detector, aimed at unveiling the Moon's secrets. The mission also included several international payloads, such as a French radon detector, a negative ion analyzer developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), and an Italian laser corner reflector.
The Chang'e 6 mission's findings have shed new light on the Moon's asymmetry and deep geologic processes, offering invaluable data for future lunar missions and our understanding of the Moon's formation and evolution.
The Chang'e 6 mission's scientific discoveries regarding the Moon's geology have extensive implications for the fields of science, particularly health-and-wellness as understanding the Moon's formation may provide insights into the origins of Earth and its impact on our planet's development. Furthermore, the distinct composition of the South Pole-Aitken basin in space-and-astronomy provides a unique opportunity to study the Moon's internal structure and evolution, offering valuable insights for both geologists and astronomers.
