Chinese scientists are eagerly preparing to delve into the first-ever lunar samples collected from the far side of the Moon, brought back by the Chang’e-6 mission. This historic achievement marks a significant milestone in human lunar exploration, offering unprecedented opportunities to uncover the mysteries of our celestial neighbor.
A Historic First in Lunar Exploration
The Chang’e-6 mission has successfully retrieved samples from the Moon’s far side, a feat never before accomplished in human history. “The Chang’e-6 mission represents a significant milestone in the history of human lunar exploration, and it will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of lunar evolution,” said Yang Wei, a researcher at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
Scientists around the world have expressed immense interest in these samples. According to Li Xianhua, an academician at CAS, the international scientific community is keen to study the materials brought back by Chang’e-6. “We have never conducted a detailed study of the South Pole–Aitken Basin before. The exact time of the impact that formed the basin and the consequences of the impact are subject to investigation,” Li stated.
Unveiling Lunar Mysteries
The Moon’s far side holds many secrets due to its unique geology and history. The South Pole–Aitken Basin, where Chang’e-6 landed, is one of the largest known impact craters in the inner solar system. “Through the analysis and research of the Chang’e-6 samples, we could have a comprehensive understanding of the Moon, filling many gaps in our knowledge and addressing significant scientific questions,” said Lin Yangting, a fellow scientist at the CAS Institute of Geology and Geophysics.
The basin was formed by a colossal impact over 4.3 billion years ago, possibly bringing materials from deep beneath the lunar surface to the top. Studying these samples could provide insights into the Moon’s formation and early evolution. “The impact was so huge that materials from the lunar lower crust or even upper mantle might have been brought up, which are usually difficult to obtain,” Li noted.
Global Collaboration and Future Discoveries
The Chang’e-6 mission’s openness to international collaboration has been emphasized by Chinese scientists. The lunar probe carried four international payloads developed jointly by Chinese and foreign scientists. “It is conceivable that the openness of Chinese lunar exploration activities will be mirrored in the study of Chang’e-6 lunar samples,” Yang commented.
Researchers have been preparing extensively for the analysis of these samples. “Since the beginning of this year, our institute has organized a team for the research on the Chang’e-6 samples. We held seminars every week to discuss the related scientific questions and plan our research in advance,” Li shared. The excitement is palpable, with packed venues and enthusiastic participants eager to explore the Moon’s far side.
A New Era of Lunar Research
The Chang’e-6 mission follows the success of Chang’e-5 in 2020, which initiated a new phase of in-depth studies on lunar samples after a 44-year hiatus. However, prior to Chang’e-6, all lunar sampling missions, including Chang’e-5, had taken place on the near side of the Moon. “Our current knowledge of the Moon primarily comes from research on samples collected from its near side, which does not represent a comprehensive scientific understanding of the whole Moon,” Li explained.
The anticipation surrounding the Chang’e-6 samples reflects a global interest in advancing our understanding of the Moon’s evolution. Chinese scientists are poised to make significant contributions to lunar research, potentially leading to groundbreaking discoveries that could reshape our knowledge of Earth’s closest celestial neighbor.
Reference(s):
Unraveling Chang'e-6: Chinese scientists eager to study lunar samples
cgtn.com
