嫦娥六号月壤“黏性”之谜揭开

Core Insights - The latest research published in "Nature Astronomy" reveals the unique cohesive properties of lunar soil from the Chang'e 6 mission, highlighting its higher viscosity compared to samples from the lunar front [1][2]. Group 1: Research Findings - Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences analyzed the Chang'e 6 lunar soil from a granular mechanics perspective, uncovering the scientific mechanisms behind its stickiness [1]. - The Chang'e 6 lunar soil exhibits a significantly higher repose angle than lunar front samples, indicating its flowability is closer to that of terrestrial clay [1]. - The increased stickiness is attributed to three microscopic inter-particle forces: friction, van der Waals forces, and electrostatic forces, which become more pronounced in finer particles [1][2]. Group 2: Unique Characteristics - High-precision CT scans revealed that the Chang'e 6 lunar soil particles are the finest yet exhibit irregular and non-spherical shapes, contrary to typical expectations [2]. - This "fine and rough" particle characteristic enhances the contributions of friction, van der Waals, and electrostatic forces, resulting in a higher repose angle and greater stickiness [2]. Group 3: Implications for Future Missions - The research provides crucial scientific foundations for future lunar exploration missions, as the flowability of lunar soil affects the stability of landers and the potential for lunar dust dispersion [2]. - The findings are expected to support advancements in lunar base construction and resource utilization, contributing to breakthroughs in lunar scientific research and resource management [2].