Chinese scientists reveal lunar far side soil is drier than near side, impacting understanding of moon's water distribution and evolution.
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| New study indicates the moon's far side, sampled by Chang'e 6, has significantly lower water content, challenging lunar water distribution theories. Image: NASA |
BEIJING, China – April 11, 2025:
Chinese scientists have made a significant discovery, revealing that soil and rock samples retrieved from the moon's far side indicate significantly drier conditions compared to the side facing Earth. This finding, published in the journal Nature, sheds new light on the distribution of water across the lunar surface and its implications for future space missions.
The samples were collected by China's Chang'e 6 spacecraft from the South Pole-Aitken basin, one of the solar system's largest impact craters, situated on the moon's far side. Sen Hu and his team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted detailed analyses of 578 particles from the 5 grams of soil samples, estimating a water abundance of less than 1.5 micrograms per gram. This contrasts with samples from the near side, which have shown water abundance ranging from 1 to 200 micrograms per gram.
Researchers emphasize that the limited sample size necessitates further investigation to determine the extent of this dryness across the far side. They hypothesize that the impact that formed the South Pole-Aitken basin may have redistributed water elements towards the near side, or that the vertical distribution of water differs significantly between the two hemispheres.
Despite these findings, NASA's plans to send astronauts to the moon's south polar region, known for its potential ice reserves, are unlikely to be altered. The frozen water in permanently shadowed craters remains a crucial resource for future lunar missions, providing potential for drinking water, cooking, and rocket fuel production.
NASA's Artemis program aims to send astronauts around the moon next year, with a lunar south pole landing planned for 2027. China also has ambitions to land astronauts on the moon by 2030, further fueling the race to explore and utilize lunar resources. The Chinese study adds a crucial piece to the puzzle of understanding the moon's composition and water distribution, impacting future lunar exploration strategies.