Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21634077 (211515ZSEP24) Notable: NASA & Related Space Stuff
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What the 1st analysis of China's Chang'e 6 lunar far side samples revealed
September 21, 2024
We finally have a glimpse of the first-ever samples collected from the far side of the moon.
The first paper on the samples collected from China's Chang'e 6 lunar probe reveals that the specimens differ in some ways from those collected from the moon's near side.
Thus, they could provide fresh insights and lead to new theories about the moon and its evolution.
China launched its complex, 53-day-long Chang'e 6 lunar far side sample return mission in early May.
A lander scooped and drilled for samples inside an area known as Apollo crater before sending them into lunar orbit on an ascent vehicle. In lunar orbit, the samples were transferred to a waiting moon orbiting craft.
A reentry module delivered 4 pounds and 4.29 ounces (1,935.3 grams) of lunar material to Earth in late June.
The samples were initially taken to specially developed facilities for storage, analysis and eventual distribution for research.
And now, a new study published in National Science Review has given us our first insight into the precious material.
Li Chunlai and fellow researchers studied the portion of the samples collected by robotic scoop.
They found the collected samples have a lower density compared to previous lunar samples, which were retrieved from the lunar near side.
More specifically, the far side samples indicate a looser and more porous structure than the near side samples.
The "sample is quite loose and would be even fluffier in its 'natural' state on the lunar surface," the researchers wrote.
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