Core Insights - The recent findings from China's Chang'e 6 mission have unveiled significant aspects of the Moon's far side evolution, marking a shift in understanding lunar geology and history [1][2] Group 1: Research Findings - The study reveals two distinct periods of basaltic volcanic activity on the Moon's far side, approximately 4.2 billion and 2.8 billion years ago, indicating sustained volcanic activity [2] - Ancient magnetic field data from the far side suggests that the Moon's magnetic field strength may have increased around 2.8 billion years ago, challenging the notion of a monotonous decline in lunar activity [2] - The water content in the mantle of the Moon's far side is significantly lower than that of the near side, indicating a "bifurcation" in water distribution within the Moon [2] - The basalt samples from the far side originate from a highly depleted source region, which may imply extreme depletion of the primordial lunar mantle or significant impact events that influenced the evolution of the Moon's deep layers [2] Group 2: Implications for Lunar Science - The successful outcomes of the Chang'e program exemplify the deep integration of science and engineering, positioning China to transition from a follower to a leader in planetary science [2]

Core Insights - The research conducted on lunar samples returned by the Chang'e 6 mission has unveiled significant findings about the Moon's far side, challenging existing theories and enhancing understanding of its geological history [1][2][5] Group 1: Research Findings - The Chang'e 6 mission has revealed two distinct periods of basaltic volcanic activity on the Moon's far side, approximately 4.2 billion and 2.8 billion years ago, indicating sustained volcanic activity [2] - Ancient magnetic field data from the far side suggests that the Moon's magnetic field may have strengthened around 2.8 billion years ago, contradicting previous beliefs of a continuous decline [2][4] - Water content in the lunar mantle sourced from the far side is significantly lower than that of the near side, with measurements showing only 1 to 1.5 micrograms per gram, the lowest reported value [3][4] Group 2: Implications for Lunar Science - The discovery of extremely depleted source regions for basalt on the far side provides critical evidence for understanding the Moon's internal structure and evolution [4] - The findings from the Chang'e 6 samples are prompting a reevaluation of long-standing hypotheses in lunar science, marking a shift in the field towards new interpretations of the Moon's geological history [5] - The successful integration of scientific research and engineering in China's lunar exploration efforts is positioning the country to lead in planetary science [5]

取得多个"首创性"的关键进展 7月9日，中国科学院召开新闻发布会，发布嫦娥六号月球样品系列研究成果。其中，4项成果当天 以封面文章的形式发表于《自然》杂志，分别揭示了月背岩浆活动、月球古磁场、月幔水含量及月幔演 化特征，首次为人类揭开了月球背面的演化历史。 会上，中国科学院院士、中国科学院地质与地球物理研究所研究员吴福元表示，这一系列研究成果 被《自然》选为封面，既说明研究工作揭示了月球南极—艾特肯盆地的演化历史，也说明嫦娥六号样品 的返回和研究创造了月球探测的历史。 嫦娥五号样品实现我国首次地外天体采样，嫦娥六号样品实现人类首次月球背面采样，都是举世瞩 目的成就。嫦娥五号着陆在月球正面的年轻火山活动区，填补了月球晚期演化研究的空白。过去阿波罗 计划只采集了30亿年之前的样品，而对于月球30亿年以来的演化历史并不清楚，嫦娥五号样品发现20亿 年前的火山活动，将月球火山活动历史延长了10亿年。 而嫦娥六号着陆在月球背面的南极—艾特肯盆地，填补了月球背面演化研究的空白。月球背面最引 人注目的地貌当属南极—艾特肯盆地。该盆地是月球三大构造单元之一，在上世纪70年代美国阿波罗计 划期间被命名，到90年代中期，人类才真 ...

Core Insights - The Chinese Academy of Sciences announced significant research findings from the Chang'e 6 lunar samples, published in the journal Nature, revealing the evolutionary history of the moon's far side [1][2] Group 1: Research Findings - Four key research achievements were made using the Chang'e 6 samples, including the discovery of volcanic activity on the moon's far side approximately 4.2 billion and 2.8 billion years ago, indicating such activity lasted for at least 1.4 billion years [2] - The ancient magnetic field information was obtained for the first time, suggesting that the moon's magnetic field strength may have rebounded around 2.8 billion years ago, indicating fluctuations rather than a monotonic decline [2] - The water content in the moon's mantle on the far side was found to be significantly lower than that on the near side, indicating a "bipolarity" in the moon's internal water distribution [2] - The basalt on the moon's far side was discovered to originate from a highly depleted source region, suggesting that large impact events may have significantly influenced the evolution of the moon's deep layers [2] Group 2: Impact of Research - The South Pole-Aitken Basin, a major lunar structure with a diameter of approximately 2,500 kilometers, was highlighted as a key area of study, with the impact energy from its formation being equivalent to a trillion times that of an atomic bomb [2] - The research published in Nature systematically reveals the effects of the South Pole-Aitken impact, marking a significant advancement in understanding lunar evolution [2] - Other breakthroughs from the Chang'e 6 samples include the first study revealing the physical, mineral, and mantle evolution characteristics of the samples, and the precise dating of the South Pole-Aitken Basin's formation to 4.25 billion years ago, providing a more accurate "cosmic clock" for understanding early solar system impacts [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Chang'e 6 mission has successfully returned samples from the Moon's far side, revealing significant insights into the South Pole-Aitken basin and its impact on lunar evolution [2][3][5]. Group 1: Chang'e 6 Mission Achievements - The Chang'e 6 mission achieved the world's first lunar far side sample return, bringing back 1935.3 grams of samples [2]. - The Chinese Academy of Sciences published four major research findings in the journal "Nature," systematically revealing the effects of the South Pole-Aitken impact [2][3]. Group 2: Geological Insights - The South Pole-Aitken basin is identified as the largest and oldest impact feature on the Moon, formed by a massive collision approximately 4.25 billion years ago [6]. - The research indicates that volcanic activity occurred on the Moon's far side around 4 billion and 2.8 billion years ago, lasting at least 1.4 billion years [6]. Group 3: New Discoveries - A new type of rock, termed South Pole-Aitken basin impact lava, was discovered, providing new insights into the Moon's formation and evolution [6]. - The study revealed that the Moon's far side has a significantly lower water content in the mantle compared to the near side, indicating a "bipartite" distribution of water within the Moon [6][7]. Group 4: Understanding Lunar Dichotomy - The concept of "ultra-depleted mantle" was introduced, suggesting that the far side's mantle is extremely poor in incompatible elements like potassium and rare earth elements [7][9]. - The formation of the "ultra-depleted mantle" may be linked to the initial differentiation of the magma ocean and subsequent volcanic activity that altered the shallow mantle region [7][9].

Core Insights - The Chang'e 6 mission has provided groundbreaking research results on lunar samples, revealing the evolutionary history of the moon's far side [1][3][4] Group 1: Research Findings - Four key research outcomes were published in the journal Nature, focusing on lunar magma activity, ancient magnetic fields, water content in the lunar mantle, and mantle evolution characteristics [1][3] - The samples returned from the South Pole-Aitken basin, the largest and oldest impact crater on the moon, have offered a unique opportunity to understand the differences between the moon's near and far sides [2][3] Group 2: Historical Context - The South Pole-Aitken basin was formed approximately 4.25 billion years ago by a massive impact, creating a melt pool that later crystallized into a new type of lunar rock [4][6] - The research indicates that the moon's far side experienced two distinct phases of volcanic activity around 4.2 billion and 2.8 billion years ago, suggesting sustained volcanic activity [3][4] Group 3: Implications for Lunar Science - The findings challenge existing theories about the moon's origin and evolution, particularly regarding internal dynamics, water distribution, and magnetic field mechanisms [5][6] - The Chang'e 6 samples are expected to lead to further revolutionary discoveries as more in-depth analyses are conducted [5]