2024-08-03 13:12:55
A lunar sample taken by China’s Chang’e-5 probe reveals the process of building the early crust of Earth’s natural satellite, Xinhua reported.
Based on analyzes of the material brought back by the apparatus, Chinese scientists suggest that the process of early development of the lunar crust was continuous, which differs from the accepted classical two-stage model of its formation.
A Chinese probe has successfully taken samples from the far side of the moon.
It is believed that in the first stage, during the cooling of the lunar magma ocean, the initial crust was formed. The second stage involves the melting of the mantle, the formation of rocks rich in magnesium, and the modification of the already formed crust.
Previous studies of lunar anorthosite, a type of rock composed mostly of plagioclase, and other rock formations have shown that they formed almost simultaneously. This gives reason to believe that the two stages – the formation and reformation of the lunar crust – may have been continuous. However, the exact mechanism remains a mystery for now.
Mineral enriched with water molecules found in lunar sample taken by the Chang’e-5 probe
The research provides direct evidence that the lunar anorthosite and the magma of the magnesium-rich rocks formed simultaneously, BTA reported.
The Chang’e-5 probe returned to Earth on December 17, 2020, delivering 1,731 grams of lunar samples consisting mostly of rocks and soil from the lunar surface.