China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced groundbreaking discoveries from its Chang'e-6 lunar mission on Thursday, revealing temperature differences in the moon's mantle between its far and near sides. The findings, derived from basalt samples collected during the historic 2024 mission, mark a significant leap in understanding Earth's celestial companion.
Analysis shows the far side mantle operates at temperatures 8-12% cooler than the near side, challenging previous assumptions about lunar thermal uniformity. Researchers suggest this disparity could explain why volcanic activity ceased earlier on the moon's hidden hemisphere – a mystery that has puzzled planetary scientists for decades.
"These samples act as a geological time capsule," said CNSA spokesperson Li Yingxiao. "The data reshapes our understanding of lunar evolution and provides critical reference points for future international exploration efforts."
The findings carry implications for multiple sectors: space agencies gain new geological benchmarks, materials scientists discover novel thermal properties, and astrophysicists acquire fresh data for solar system modeling. The research comes as over 20 countries prepare for crewed lunar missions in the coming decade.
