Unveiling the Mysteries of the Moon's Far Side: China's Latest Lunar Mission
While there is no true 'dark side' of the moon, the enigmatic far side that remains unseen from Earth holds unique secrets waiting to be discovered. China's latest mission aims to uncover the reasons behind the intriguing differences between the near and far sides of the moon.
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On January 3, 2019, the Chang’e-4 mission made history by landing in the Von Karman crater on the far side of the moon. This achievement made China the first and only country to successfully land on the side of the moon that is always hidden from Earth.
China is embarking on another mission to the far side of the moon. This time, the goal is to bring back samples from the moon's "hidden side" to Earth. The Chang’e-6 mission, launched on Friday, will spend 53 days studying the South Pole-Aitken basin. Its aim is to explore the geology and topography of the area, and collect samples from various locations within the crater.
The South Pole-Aitken basin is considered the biggest and most ancient crater on the moon, covering almost one-fourth of the lunar surface. It has a diameter of about 1,550 miles (2,500 kilometers) and a depth exceeding 5 miles (8 kilometers).
The Lunar Excursion Vehicle 2 (LEV-2 / SORA-Q) has successfully taken an image of the #SLIM spacecraft on the Moon. LEV-2 is the worldâÂÂs first robot to conduct fully autonomous exploration on the lunar surface.
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Scientists are hopeful that bringing back samples from the moon will provide answers to long-standing questions about the mysterious far side. This area has not been explored as thoroughly as the near side, making it a valuable source of information about the moon's origins.
According to Li Chunlai, deputy chief designer of the China National Space Administration, the far side of the moon is quite different from the near side. It is mainly made up of ancient lunar crust and highlands, presenting a wide array of scientific inquiries that need to be addressed.
No real ‘dark side’
During a NASA budget hearing on April 17, congressman David Trone asked NASA administrator Bill Nelson why China was sending a mission to the “backside” of the moon.
Nelson explained that there will be a lander on the far side of the moon, which is always in darkness. He mentioned that there are no plans to visit that area.
The side of the moon that is always hidden from Earth is often called the "dark side of the moon," a term popularized by the 1973 Pink Floyd album with the same name.
The phrase "dark side of the moon" can be misleading for a few reasons, experts say.
Even though it may appear dark from where we are, the far side of the moon actually goes through a lunar day and night just like the side we see. NASA explains that a lunar day lasts a little over 29 days, while the lunar night spans about two weeks.
The same side always faces Earth because the moon takes the same amount of time to complete an orbit of Earth and rotate around its axis: about 27 days.
In this striking view of the Giordano Bruno crater from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, the height and sharpness of the rim are evident, as well as the crater floor's rolling hills and rugged nature.
The Giordano Bruno crater is shown in a stunning image taken by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The photo highlights the height and sharpness of the crater's rim, along with the rugged terrain of the crater floor, which features rolling hills.
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Studying the far side of the moon has been a challenge, leading to the nickname "dark side" and adding a sense of mystery. According to Renu Malhotra, a planetary sciences professor at the University of Arizona, humans are naturally curious about what lies beyond what we can see. Despite past limitations, space probes have orbited the moon and provided images, making it less mysterious now than before.
Several spacecraft, such as NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, have been instrumental in providing valuable insights into the moon by capturing images of its surface.
In addition, the Yutu-2 lunar rover, deployed by Chang’e-4 in 2019, conducted explorations in the Von Karman crater within the South Pole-Aitken basin, examining scattered deposits of crushed rocks and dust.
The Yutu-2 lunar rover took an image of the Chang'e-4 lunar probe on the far side of the moon on January 11, 2019.
The Yutu-2 lunar rover took an image of the Chang'e-4 lunar probe on the far side of the moon on January 11, 2019.
Returning samples from the moon back to Earth would allow scientists to use the newest and most advanced technology to study lunar rocks and dust. This could help uncover the mysteries of how the moon was formed and why the far side is unlike the near side.
Far side mysteries
Despite years of orbital data and samples collected during six of the Apollo missions, scientists are still trying to answer key questions about the moon.
The far side of the moon is so intriguing because it looks completely different from the side we are familiar with, known as the near side. Noah Petro, a NASA project scientist for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Artemis III mission, explains that throughout history, humans have always seen the same side of the moon when looking up at the night sky.
However, in 1959, the Soviet Union made a significant breakthrough by sending a probe to fly past the far side of the moon. This historic mission resulted in the first-ever images of the far side being captured for the world to see.
Petro explained that the far side of the moon looks vastly different from the near side, with a thicker crust and fewer volcanic lava flows and craters.
He further stated that bringing back samples with robotic missions and sending humans to land near the transition between the two lunar regions at the south pole as part of the Artemis program will provide a more complete understanding of the moon's history.
Scientists have a good understanding of why one side of the moon always faces Earth, but they are unsure why that specific side constantly faces our planet. It is believed that this could be due to the moon's asymmetrical nature. According to Malhotra, there are differences between the side facing us and the opposite side, but the exact cause and nature of these differences remain largely unknown. This presents a significant scientific mystery that has yet to be fully explained.
Orbital data has shown that the near side of the moon has a thinner crust and more volcanic deposits. However, researchers are still uncertain about the reasons behind this difference, according to Brett Denevi, a planetary geologist at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Lab.
Denevi explained that the near side has a unique geochemical composition with some unusual heat-producing elements. While there are many theories about why the near side is distinct from the far side, the data needed to confirm these ideas is still lacking. Therefore, exploring the far side, collecting samples, and conducting various geophysical measurements are crucial steps in solving this longstanding mystery.
The Chang'e-6 mission lunar probe launched on May 3 from Wenchang Space Launch Centre in southern China's Hainan Province.
The Chang'e-6 mission lunar probe launched on May 3 from Wenchang Space Launch Centre in southern China's Hainan Province.
Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images
Chang’e-6 is just one mission heading to the moon’s far side as NASA has plans to send robotic missions there as well.
Denevi played a key role in designing a mission concept for a lunar rover named Endurance. This rover will embark on a lengthy journey across the South Pole-Aitken basin to gather important data and samples. These samples will then be transported to the Artemis landing sites located near the lunar south pole. Once there, astronauts will have the opportunity to study the samples and decide which ones should be brought back to Earth.
Scientists have long been curious about how the moon came to be. According to the prevailing theory, a large object collided with Earth in its early days, causing a piece of our planet to break off and form the moon.
Another question scientists are eager to answer is how the moon's original crust was formed. Dark patches on the moon were created by volcanic flows, while the lighter areas represent the moon's ancient crust.
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According to Denevi, it is believed that the moon was once completely molten, forming an ocean of magma. As this magma solidified, minerals floated to the surface, creating the lighter terrain visible today. Exploring the vast untouched areas on the far side of the moon is a key objective of the mission.
Studying impact craters on the moon can give us insight into the early days of the solar system when life was beginning to emerge on Earth, according to Denevi.
Petro added that as impacts occurred on the moon, they were also happening on Earth simultaneously. By examining these ancient lunar events, we can gain knowledge about similar events that took place on our own planet.
Visiting the South Pole-Aitken basin could be the key to solving numerous lunar mysteries, according to Malhotra. Scientists have a rough estimate of when the crater was formed, around 4.3 to 4.4 billion years ago, but collecting rock samples could give a more precise age.
Malhotra mentioned, "Many scientists believe that determining the age of this crater will reveal a lot of secrets about the moon's history."
CNN’s Wayne Chang contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
The article delves into the upcoming Chang'e-6 mission, which aims to explore the far side of the moon and collect samples from the South Pole-Aitken basin. This endeavor marks a significant milestone in lunar exploration, as it will provide scientists with valuable data and samples from a region that has remained largely unexplored. The far side of the moon holds many mysteries, including its distinct geological features and the reasons behind its differences from the near side.
The article highlights the importance of studying the far side of the moon to gain a deeper understanding of its formation and evolution. By exploring impact craters and analyzing lunar samples, scientists hope to uncover insights into the early solar system and the formation of life on Earth. The Chang'e-6 mission is a testament to the ongoing pursuit of knowledge and the quest to unravel the secrets of our celestial neighbor.
