China’s Chang’e-6 mission has brought back the first-ever samples from the far side of the moon, and the findings are shaking up our understanding of Earth’s celestial companion. These samples, retrieved from a massive impact crater, contain volcanic rock dating back 2.8 billion years, much younger than any rocks previously collected from the moon’s near side.
What We Didn’t Know:
- The Far Side Was Volcanically Active Much Later Than Expected: This discovery challenges our previous timeline of lunar volcanic activity, suggesting the moon was molten for a longer period than we thought.
- The Samples Lack Radioactive Elements: This raises questions about how these volcanic rocks were formed, as previous samples from the near side were rich in radioactive elements.
Why It Matters:
- Understanding the Moon’s Asymmetry: The far side of the moon is vastly different from the near side, with a thicker crust and different topography. These samples will help scientists unravel the reasons behind this asymmetry and gain a more complete picture of the moon’s evolution.
- Rethinking the Moon’s Formation: The young age of the volcanic rocks and the lack of radioactive elements challenge existing theories about the moon’s formation and cooling process.
The Future of Lunar Exploration:
The Chang’e-6 mission marks a significant milestone in lunar exploration, opening up new avenues for scientific inquiry. As we continue to explore the moon’s hidden secrets, we can expect even more surprising discoveries that will reshape our understanding of our closest celestial neighbour.
Sources and related content
China’s lunar probe Chang’e-6 returns from far side of the moon | Space News – Al Jazeera