The Chang’e-6 mission, the world’s first lunar farside sample-return mission, was launched on May 3, 2024, with the aim of solving the mystery of the lunar asymmetry. Scientists have long debated the origin of this asymmetry due to the lack of samples from the far side of the moon.
Dr. Yuqi Qian and collaborators recently conducted research revealing extensive volcanic activity in the Apollo basin, where Chang’e-6 will land to collect lunar soils. The study suggests that the discrepancy in crustal thickness may be the primary cause of lunar asymmetrical volcanism.
Samples from the Apollo basin hold scientific potential to provide answers to long-standing lunar scientific questions. The geological team at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) plans to acquire these Chang’e-6 samples to study both the near side and far side of the moon in more detail.
This research is a significant contribution to the Chang’e-6 lunar mission and will aid Chinese scientists in their upcoming sample analysis. With the data gathered from the Apollo basin, researchers hope to finally unravel the mystery of the moon’s asymmetry and gain a better understanding of its geological history.
Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking research and the exciting findings that may emerge from the Chang’e-6 mission.
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