Water has never been found in the conditions detected by the Chang’e-5 probe.
For the first time in history it was discovered Water in molecular form in physical samples from a region on the moon where it seemed impossible to existWe have known for years that the moon contains water, but it has never been found in such conditions before. This discovery could be a major boost to lunar exploration and boost the Chinese space race responsible for this discovery.
Why discovery is so important
the Chinese probe Chang’e-5 It was launched in November 2020 and returned to Earth in December of that year after extracting 1.73 kilograms of lunar soil samples. Over the years, these samples were analyzed to show that they contained water in molecular form (H2O), in an impossible area of the satellite, according to the Russia Today website. The study, published in the journal Nature,.
The hydrated mineral (NH4)MgCl3·6H2O is found in the lunar samples collected by the Chang’e-5 mission, and represents the chemical form of water on the lunar surface. Jin et al.: https://t.co/6qLgIqo3C3 pic.twitter.com/QnXyvz19B3
— Nature Astronomy (@NatureAstronomy) July 16, 2024
Found It is found in a new mineral that we did not know existed called ULM-1.with the chemical formula (NH4)MgCI3-6H20, although it is not the first lunar mineral discovered by China. The mineral crystals, which are about the width of a human hair, are 41% water.
Specifically the line It is found at latitude 43.1 degrees.in a place where it was thought that water could not be found in molecular form, on the far side of the moon. However, it is not clear whether the material formed there, as it is possible that the rock containing it reached that part of the moon after the impact.
The explanation for its presence in that part is that the water contains pieces of ammonia.This acts as a stabilizer for the substance, allowing it to exist in this form even when conditions do not permit it.
This discovery could be of great importance. The possibility of extracting water from lunar soil is already being considered.This will facilitate space exploration. On the other hand, this discovery will encourage the scientific community to continue exploring the moon. However, it is still too early to know its exact impact on space exploration.
China takes the lead in the space race
And who could also have a big impact, it’s China. It has become First country to extract samples from the far side of the moon The third to collect lunar samples after the United States and the Soviet Union.
Over the past years China has become a space superpower.It already has its own station and its new discoveries are revolutionizing the space race. It plans to build a research base at the moon’s south pole by 2030. It also wants to track it by filling it with satellite cameras,
Its biggest competitor is the United States.which in 2011 banned any cooperation between NASA and Chinese space agencies over concerns about potential espionage. This forced China to develop its space exploration on its own.
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