Chinese scientists have cracked open cosmic clues hidden in lunar samples from the Chang’e-6 mission—and the moon’s far side is serving major surprises! 🌏🔍
New research published in Nature Communications reveals that basalt from the mission’s landing site shows the moon’s mantle is drier, more barren, and chemically “reduced” compared to the near side. Think of it like finding out your quiet twin sibling has a wild secret life. 😲
Why “Reduced” Matters 🔬
A “reduced” state means elements here have low oxidation—like cosmic leftovers from the moon’s early days or reshaped by ancient mega-impacts. “This changes how we see the moon’s evolution,” said Yang Wei, a lead researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 🧪
The discovery hints that the moon’s two faces evolved differently deep underground, challenging old theories. Could this rewrite lunar history textbooks? 📚✨
