On July 9th, the Chinese Academy of Sciences released a series of research findings on the Chang’e-6 lunar samples, with four major studies published as cover articles in the international academic journal Nature. These results reveal insights into magmatic activity on the far side of the Moon, ancient lunar magnetic fields, water content in the lunar mantle, and mantle evolution characteristics. For the first time, they provide an understanding of the evolutionary history of the Moon’s far side, offering key evidence to unravel the mystery of the Moon’s «binary nature» and reshaping humanity’s understanding of solar system celestial evolution.

— Calibrating the «Far Side Clock.» The 1935.3 grams of samples brought back by Chang’e-6 from the South Pole-Aitken Basin confirmed for the first time that the sampling area on the far side experienced two distinct periods of basaltic volcanic activity, approximately 4.2 billion and 2.8 billion years ago. This indicates a wide time span for volcanic activity on the far side, generally older than the 2-billion-year-old magmatic activity revealed by Chang’e-5’s samples from the near side.

— Capturing the «Moon’s Heartbeat.» The research team obtained the first ancient magnetic field data from the far side, discovering that the Moon’s magnetic field strength may have rebounded around 2.8 billion years ago. This challenges the traditional view of a monotonically decaying magnetic field.

— Revealing the «Mantle Desert.» Research shows that the South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the Moon’s three major tectonic units with a diameter of about 2,500 kilometers, was formed by an impact with energy roughly equivalent to trillions of atomic bomb explosions. Scientists have measured the water content in the far side’s mantle for the first time, finding it significantly lower than that of the near side, indicating a binary distribution of water within the Moon.

— Discovering «Impact Fossils.» The team identified a new type of rock on the far side—South Pole-Aitken impact melt rocks, described as a «time capsule» created by a massive impact, providing an exceptional sample for studying impact effects on terrestrial bodies.

«Chang’e-6’s landing in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side fills a gap in lunar far-side evolution research. The most significant geological unit on the far side is this basin, and understanding how such large impacts influenced lunar evolution is a primary scientific question. These findings systematically reveal the effects of the South Pole-Aitken impact for the first time, marking a core highlight of Chang’e-6’s research and a key direction for future lunar science.»

Lunar sample research has now entered the «Chang’e Era.» The success of China’s lunar exploration program exemplifies the deep integration of science and engineering. With more first-hand data, China’s planetary science will transition from «following» to «running alongside» global research, even leading in certain fields.

On June 25, 2024, Chang’e-6 achieved the world’s first far-side sample return. These findings provide new perspectives on lunar evolution theories.

It is hoped that more scientists will utilize extraterrestrial samples and scientific data from China’s lunar and deep-space exploration missions to achieve further discoveries, benefiting human society and expanding civilization.

Chang’e-6

Chang’e-6 is a Chinese lunar exploration mission, part of the broader Chang’e program, designed to collect and return samples from the far side of the Moon. Launched in May 2024, it builds on the success of Chang’e-5 (2020), which retrieved samples from the Moon’s near side. The mission aims to advance scientific understanding of the Moon’s composition and evolution, particularly the less-explored far side, while demonstrating China’s growing capabilities in space exploration.

Chinese Academy of Sciences

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), founded in 1949, is China’s premier national research institution, overseeing a wide range of scientific disciplines. It plays a key role in advancing scientific research, technological innovation, and high-level talent development in China. With over 100 research institutes nationwide, CAS has contributed significantly to major national projects, including space exploration, quantum technology, and environmental sustainability.

Nature

«Nature» refers to the physical world and all its natural phenomena, encompassing landscapes, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Historically, nature has shaped human civilizations, providing resources, inspiration, and spiritual significance across cultures. Today, it is both a subject of conservation efforts and a source of recreation, scientific study, and artistic expression.

South Pole-Aitken Basin

The **South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin** is the largest, deepest, and oldest known impact crater on the Moon, spanning roughly **2,500 kilometers in diameter** and reaching depths of up to **8 kilometers**. Formed over **4 billion years ago**, it provides crucial insights into the Moon’s early history and composition, with its exposed mantle materials offering valuable data for planetary science. NASA and other space agencies have targeted this region for exploration due to its potential for uncovering secrets about the solar system’s formation.

Chang’e-5

Chang’e-5 is China’s lunar exploration mission, launched in 2020, which successfully collected and returned moon samples to Earth—the first such mission in over 40 years. Named after the Chinese moon goddess Chang’e, it marked a significant milestone in China’s space program, demonstrating advanced technological capabilities in lunar landing, sampling, and return. The mission also contributed valuable scientific data for understanding the moon’s volcanic history and evolution.

Moon’s far side

The Moon’s far side, often called the «dark side» (though it receives sunlight), is the hemisphere permanently hidden from Earth due to tidal locking. First photographed by the Soviet Luna 3 probe in 1959, it remains less explored than the near side but has been studied by missions like China’s Chang’e-4, which landed there in 2019. Its terrain is more cratered and lacks the large, dark plains (maria) seen on the near side.

Moon’s near side

The Moon’s near side is the hemisphere of the Moon that always faces Earth due to synchronous rotation, making it the most observed and studied region in lunar history. It features prominent dark plains called maria, formed by ancient volcanic activity, and was the landing site for the Apollo missions, including the first human steps in 1969. Its visibility has made it central to cultural, scientific, and exploratory endeavors for centuries.

lunar samples

Lunar samples are rock and soil specimens collected from the Moon during NASA’s Apollo missions (1969–1972) and other lunar exploration programs. These samples, totaling over 380 kilograms, have provided invaluable scientific insights into the Moon’s geology, formation, and history, including evidence of ancient volcanic activity and impacts. They remain a key resource for research and international collaboration in planetary science.