China's Chang'e-6 Lunar Samples Shed New Light on Moon's Far Side
Chinese researchers have uncovered more mysteries about the far side of the Moon as they continued their in-depth studies of the precious lunar samples brought back to Earth by China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe last year. Studies have been ongoing since the landmark lunar probe returned to Earth last June with 1,935.3 grams of lunar samples collected from the previously unexplored far side of the Moon, marking a milestone in human space exploration.
After successfully applying to obtain 16 grams of the samples, the Institute of Geology and Geophysics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has organized over a hundred top-notch researchers to conduct analysis across multiple fields.
"The lunar samples, taken from the far side of the moon by Chang'e-6, is quite unique in the world and everyone wants to know more about it. Chinese aerospace personnel have worked so hard to get that. So, when I have a part of it, I need to put all my efforts into studying it, in order to discover something new about the lunar evolution," said Li Qiuli, a researcher from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics.
Basalt is a product of magmatic activity. It carries important information on volcanism. After getting the sample, Li and his team picked up the first batch of 108 basalt fragments for age analysis. Within the space of three months, they have already uncovered new discoveries, which were later published in Nature, the world-renowned scientific journal.
"Most of the 108 fragments were found to be 2.8 billion years old. However, there is a special basalt fragment which can date back to 4.2 billion years ago. It is the oldest basalt among the samples taken back by Chang'e-6. Therefore, the magmatic activity on the far side of the Moon has lasted at least 1.4 billion years, and the properties of the deep lunar mantle have changed a lot during this period of time. This is something revealed for the first time through this sample," Li said.
The research results made by Chinese scientists based on the basalt fragments brought back by Chang'e-6 is the first understanding of volcanic activity on the far side of the moon. This has provided a unique perspective and crucial scientific evidence for lunar evolution.
The science community also expects more mysteries about the Moon's far side to be revealed in the future, as studies into the lunar samples expand.
"The 4.2-billion-year-old basalt fragment has some special features. We have been conducting deeper researches on it. I think it could provide some key information that may change or enhance our understanding of the evolution of the moon," Li said.
Duration: 1 minute, 22 seconds
Release Date: Jan. 14, 2025
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