Hey space explorers! 🚀 We've got some stellar news from the Moon that's out of this world! 🌙✨ Chinese scientists studying lunar samples from the Chang'e-5 mission have just shaken up our understanding of how the Moon's crust formed. 🌌
So, what's the big deal? For years, scientists believed in a two-step process for the Moon's crust formation. First, as the Moon's magma ocean cooled down, lightweight minerals like plagioclase floated to the top, forming the initial crust. Then, much later, the Moon's mantle melted and reshaped the crust with new rocks called magnesian-suite rocks. Kind of like baking a cake and then adding frosting later. 🎂
But hold on! 🛑 The new study suggests that this process was actually one continuous journey. The team, led by Wang Shuijiong from the China University of Geosciences in Beijing, found evidence that the primitive crust and these magnesian rocks formed at the same time. Mind blown! 🤯
They discovered a special kind of melt in lunar rocks brought back by the Chang'e-5 mission that links the early crust directly to the mantle beneath. This means the Moon's crust didn't take a break between stages—it was a non-stop formation party! 🥳
Using cool geochemical and thermodynamic simulations (science is awesome, right? 🧪), they showed that the lunar upper mantle played a big role in this continuous process. It's like the Moon was multitasking before it was cool. 😎
This discovery not only changes our lunar textbooks but also helps us understand the dynamic processes of planetary formation. Who knows what other secrets are waiting to be uncovered out there? 🌠
The Chang'e-5 probe, which returned to Earth on December 17, 2020, brought back 1,731 grams of lunar goodies 🧳—giving scientists plenty to explore. And with findings like these, the Moon just got a whole lot more interesting! 🌕❤️
Stay curious, amigos! There's a whole universe to explore. 🌌✨
Reference(s):
Chang'e-5 lunar sample reveals early moon crust formation process
cgtn.com
