Chang’e-6’s far-side lunar sampling reveals important information about the intrusive magmatism of the SPA basin, helping to understand the origin of the moon and geological processes. Magmatic activity and their products, including intrusive and extrusive magmatism on the Moon, contain important information about the Moon’s interior and thermal state. Their distribution is asymmetric on the near and far sides, reflecting the global lunar dichotomy.

All previously returned lunar samples were from the near side (Apollo, the Moon, and Chang’e 5), and the far-side South Pole-Aitken Basin (SPA) samples have long been considered the key to rebalancing asymmetric understanding. We solve the Moon and Moon dilemma puzzle.

First sample return from the far side of the Moon: Chang’e-6 mission

The Chang’e-6 mission of China’s lunar exploration program is the world’s first far-side lunar sample return mission to land south of the Apollo basin in the far-side SPA basin. Earlier this year, the Chang’e-6 mission successfully launched on May 3, touched down on the lunar surface on June 2, and returned to Earth on June 25, carrying 1,935.3 grams of lunar soil.

These valuable examples will open a window to unravel the age-old question of lunar duality and transform our knowledge of our closest neighbor. However, compared to the well-known Mare volcanism around the Chang’e-6 landing site, the existence and origin of intrusive magmatic activity is much less clear, precluding future analysis of samples when they are ready for use.

Examination of intrusive magmatism at the Chang’e-6 landing site

In a recently published research article Astrophysics Journal Letters Dr. from the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Hong Kong (HKU). Yuqi Qian, Prof. Joseph Michalski and Prof. Guochun Zhao and their local and international collaborators have extensively studied the intrusive magmatism of the Chang’e-6 descent. The site and its surroundings based on remote sensing data.

The study revealed their widespread and uncertain nature and had important implications for the petrogenesis of plutonic rocks on the Moon and for the Chang’e-6 mission; This will make it easier for scientists to further investigate the far side of the Moon.

Key findings about intrusive magmatism

Researchers found that intrusive magmatism is common in the SPA basin. These occur in a variety of forms, including sills beneath altered craters, linear and annular sets indicated by gravity data, and Mg-packet intrusions with characteristic spectral absorption. These observations are consistent with a medium-thickness SPA shell where attack is favored.

After landing in the SPA basin, Chang’e-6 likely collected plutonic rocks that were excavated and transported to the sampling site by nearby impact craters, which can be examined during ongoing sampling runs. They discovered two heavily eroded craters with cracks in the floor (see Apollo X and Apollo Q craters in Figure 1), which inspired them to identify more similar features on the Moon. All indications indicate that intrusive magmatism is widespread in the Chang’e-6 sampling region.

Information on plutonic materials from Chang’e-6 samples

This study traced potential plutonic materials in Chang’e-6 samples and found that Mg-sui materials transported by Chaffee crater S, mainly from the western top ring of the Apollo basin, are likely present. It contains significant amounts of Mg-rich materials. poor KREEP, information on the origin of the mysterious Mg pack rocks.

Examples of both intrusive and extrusive magmatism from the never-explored far side, particularly from the mysterious Mg package, will shed additional light on solving the Moon’s duality puzzle and a number of fundamental science questions regarding secondary crust formation and early evolution. Ritual. .

Academic perspectives on lunar exploration

Professor LI Xianghua, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Head of China Lunar Sample Research at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics (CAS), said: “The results of this study lay an important geological basis for plutonic studies. The rocks in the Chang’e-6 samples, especially those of the magnesium group rocks”.

Professor Lee emphasized: “Their petrogenesis and timing are unclear, and this study will contribute greatly to the understanding of their mechanism of origin.”

HKU’s role in lunar exploration

“This research is an excellent example of HKU’s deep involvement in China’s lunar exploration program,” said Professor Guochun Zhao, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor of the Department of Earth Sciences (HKU). “Lunar and space exploration programs are an important component of China’s goal to become a scientific and technological power, and HKU’s active participation in these programs will provide additional resources for Hong Kong to become an international center for science and innovation.” he continued.

HKU’s future prospects in lunar exploration

HKU is the first university in Hong Kong to have lunar samples obtained by the Chang’e-5 mission. Building on this work, HKU geologists will also seek opportunities to study Chang’e-6 samples in the future and become more deeply involved in China’s lunar exploration program.