Hey space fans 🚀, get ready for a cosmic update! Recent findings by the Chinese mainland’s space and energy authorities are shaking up our view of the moon’s hidden face. 🌕✨
Newly returned rock fragments from the Chang'e-6 mission—fresh samples from the far side of the moon—have been analyzed for their petrology and geochemistry. These basalts, dated at about 2.8 billion years old, tell a chilly tale: the far-side mantle was roughly 100°C cooler than what Apollo missions and Chang'e-5 revealed on the near side.
Why does this matter? A cooler mantle suggests the far side of the moon lost heat faster, reshaping our understanding of its evolution. This split between a “warm” near side and a “cool” far side could explain differences in volcanic activity and surface features across the lunar landscape.
This discovery opens a new chapter in lunar exploration, helping researchers piece together the moon’s history and giving us fresh insights into planetary cooling processes. As Chang'e missions continue, who knows what cosmic secrets we’ll uncover next! 🚀🧊
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
