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Chang'e-6 lunar samples from moon's far side unveiled for first time

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Chang'e-6 lunar samples from moon's far side unveiled for first time

2024-09-21 16:28 Last Updated At:22:27

The lunar samples collected by China's Chang'e-6 mission from the far side of the moon were unveiled for the first time on Saturday.

The samples, weighing a total of 1,935.3 grams, were retrieved by Chang'e-6 in June this year, marking the first time humans have obtained research samples directly from the moon's far side.

Earlier the week, a Chinese team of scientists published the first research paper on these lunar samples, saying that they exhibit "distinct characteristics" compared to previously obtained lunar samples.

The team found out that the Chang'e-6 soil samples have a lower density than previous samples, indicating a more porous and loosely structured composition. The plagioclase content of the Chang'e-6 samples is significantly higher than that of the Chang'e-5 samples, while their olivine content is significantly lower.

The study has also revealed that the Chang'e-6 lithic fragment samples are primarily composed of basalt, breccia, agglutinate, glasses and leucocrate.

Geochemical analysis of the Chang'e-6 lunar samples has shown that their concentration of trace elements such as thorium, uranium and potassium is markedly different from the samples retrieved by the Apollo missions and the Chang'e-5 mission. The Chang'e-6 samples also appear slightly lighter in color due to their different mineral composition.

"The Chang'e-6 lunar samples contain a significant amount of white material, including feldspar minerals, which are more abundant than in the Chang'e-5 samples. Additionally, there are significantly more glass fragments, contributing to a lighter overall appearance for the Chang'e-6 samples," said Li Chunlai, deputy chief designer of the Chang'e-6 mission and researcher with the National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

In the lunar sample laboratory, the surface samples have largely be separated and packaged. Experts explained that the process of unsealing, dividing, and preparing the samples for experimentation took approximately two months. "For the surface samples, we will separate any rock fragments larger than 1 millimeter. These larger samples may have originated from different locations, and their research methods differ from those used for powdered samples. The remaining powder samples, smaller than 1 millimeter, will be thoroughly mixed and packaged into 10-11 bottles, each containing approximately 150 grams," Li said.

In contrast, the processing of the drilled samples is more complex and is expected to take an additional one to two months. Researchers are currently handling the remaining samples in a nitrogen-filled unit.

"In terms of weight, the scooped samples make up the majority of the total 1935.3 grams, roughly 1610 grams, and the remaining is drilled samples. But a significant portion of these drilled is stuck to the sample bag and cannot be removed, complicating the determination of their exact weight. The drilled samples account for less than 20 percent of the total and are all contained within a single sample bag. We need to divide them into 1.5-centimeter segments to represent different depths. This process, which involves separating over 100 individual samples, requires extreme care. So, we may still need another month or two to finish the pre-processing," Li said.

The Chang'e-6 probe was launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province on May 3, 2024. It touched down on the far side of the moon on June 2. During its two-day stay, Chang'e-6 used a scoop and drill, collecting nearly 2 kilograms of lunar material. On June 25, its returner brought back the samples and made a landing in north China.

Chang'e-6 lunar samples from moon's far side unveiled for first time

Chang'e-6 lunar samples from moon's far side unveiled for first time

Chang'e-6 lunar samples from moon's far side unveiled for first time

Chang'e-6 lunar samples from moon's far side unveiled for first time

Chang'e-6 lunar samples from moon's far side unveiled for first time

Chang'e-6 lunar samples from moon's far side unveiled for first time

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China's Antarctic mission charts rare polynyas

2025-03-13 01:04 Last Updated At:01:27

China's 41st Antarctic expedition has successfully completed a pivotal survey of the Amundsen Sea and Ross Sea, uncovering rare instances of polynyas, which are vital open water regions within sea ice that influence both Antarctica's ecology and worldwide climate patterns.

Sun Yongming, a member of China's 41st Antarctic expedition, explained the visualization of sea ice concentrations and the significance of polynyas along the coast.

"This map shows the average sea ice concentration from 2013 to 2020. It reflects data for November, with yellow areas indicating 100 percent ice coverage and pure blue areas representing 0 percent, or open water. Along the coast, you can see the blue water surface, which we call polynyas," said Sun.

Polynyas form through various natural processes. Sun explained that the most common method involves Antarctica's katabatic winds -- strong, downward winds that push newly formed sea ice away from the coast, creating open water areas. This phenomenon, known as a wind-driven polynya, fluctuates in size over time, depending on changing weather patterns.

"In extremely low temperatures, it's only these polynyas that produce new ice. Once new ice forms, it gets blown outward by the wind, and more ice continues to form, so we refer to this process as an 'ice factory.' We typically measure a polynya's size by the amount of ice it produces. The Amundsen Sea polynya is currently the fourth largest among all the polynyas around Antarctica; it's quite substantial," Sun added.

More than a dozen large polynyas exist around Antarctica, with the Amundsen Sea polynya being one of the largest and most significant. These areas play a key role in the region's heat exchange, supporting higher biological productivity and offering unique insights into the dynamics of Antarctica's ecosystem.

"Polynyas facilitate heat exchange, which creates a more favorable environment for biological activity. Studies show that the Amundsen Sea polynya has the highest primary productivity of all the polynyas around Antarctica. That's why we're particularly focused on understanding how polynyas impact the entire ecosystem, which is why we've been conducting extensive ecological observations in the area," Sun concluded.

China's 41st Antarctic Expedition set sail from south China's port city Guangzhou on November 1, 2024, with three vessels: the Xuelong and Xuelong 2 for scientific research and logistics, and the "Yongsheng" cargo ship, which is supplying materials for the Qinling Station. The mission is set to last nearly seven months, with a return scheduled for May 2025.

China's Antarctic mission charts rare polynyas

China's Antarctic mission charts rare polynyas

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