2024-09-22 09:12:28
China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission has successfully achieved the historic feat of collecting samples from the far side of the moon, returning nearly 2 kilograms of valuable material. This marks the first time in human history that research samples have been obtained from the far side of the moon, CGTN reports and Radio China.
The samples were sealed in specially designed, hermetically sealed containers and transported back to Earth. Now, almost three months later, these precious extraterrestrial materials have been unsealed.
A reporter from the China Media Group was granted exclusive access to the Lunar Sample Laboratory at the National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
In the laboratory, the samples are divided into 10 glass jars, each of which is about 150 grams. Compared to the Chan-5 lunar samples, the color of the Chan-6 samples appears slightly lighter due to the different mineral composition.
Chinese researchers have discovered key differences between lunar samples collected by the Chan-6 mission and those from Chan-5. Soil samples on the far side of the Moon have a lower density, indicating a more porous and loose composition. The plagioclase content of the “Chan-6” samples is significantly higher than that of the “Chan-5” samples, and their olivine content is significantly lower.
An article about the new findings of Chinese scientists was published in the journal National Science Review.