【科技日报】嫦娥六号月壤揭示：巨型撞击造成月背深部物质丢失

Core Insights - The research reveals that a significant impact event approximately 4.25 billion years ago in the South Pole-Aitken Basin not only created the largest crater on the Moon but also caused the loss of certain volatile elements from the Moon's deep material [1] Group 1: Impact of Large Collisions - The study indicates that asteroid impacts have been the primary external force shaping the Moon's surface since its formation, leading to the creation of numerous craters and basins that significantly altered the Moon's topography and chemical composition [1] - The research addresses the unresolved question of how large early impacts affected the Moon's interior [1] Group 2: Research Methodology and Findings - The Chang'e 6 mission successfully collected samples from the South Pole-Aitken Basin, providing critical samples for studying the effects of the large impact event [1] - High-precision isotopic analysis was conducted on the basalt samples brought back by Chang'e 6, revealing significant differences in potassium isotopic ratios compared to Apollo samples from the Moon's near side [2] - The research confirmed that the early large impact event altered the potassium isotopic composition of the Moon's mantle, with lighter potassium isotopes being lost due to the high-temperature and high-pressure environment during the impact [2] Group 3: Implications for Lunar Evolution - The loss of volatile elements is suggested to have further suppressed volcanic activity on the Moon's far side, providing key scientific insights into the impact of large collisions on lunar evolution [2]