Core Insights - The research team has made a significant breakthrough in lunar science by discovering micron-sized hematite (α-Fe2O3) and magnetite (γ-Fe2O3) crystals from samples collected by the Chang'e 6 mission, revealing a new oxidation reaction mechanism on the Moon [1][3][5] Group 1: Research Findings - The formation of hematite is closely related to large impact events in the Moon's history, which create a high oxygen fugacity gas environment that oxidizes iron, leading to the formation of micron-sized crystalline hematite particles [5] - The intermediate products of this reaction include magnetic magnetite and magnetite, which may serve as mineral carriers for the magnetic anomalies at the edge of the South Pole-Aitken Basin [5] - This study provides the first evidence of strong oxidizing substances like hematite existing on the lunar surface under a highly reducing background, shedding light on the Moon's redox state and the causes of magnetic anomalies [5] Group 2: Mission Context - The South Pole-Aitken Basin, where the Chang'e 6 mission landed, is known as the largest and oldest impact basin on rocky bodies in the solar system, providing a unique setting for exploring special geological processes [6] - The successful collection of lunar samples from the interior of the South Pole-Aitken Basin in 2024 laid the groundwork for this groundbreaking discovery [6]

月球也会"生锈"？嫦娥六号月背样品研究成果再上新。 11月16日，国家航天局公布，我国科研团队近日通过分析嫦娥六号从月球背面南极-艾特肯盆地采回的 样品，首次发现大型撞击事件成因的微米级赤铁矿和磁赤铁矿晶体，通俗地讲就是"月球上的土壤和岩 石也会'生锈'"。同时确认了月球的"铁锈"，即原生赤铁矿颗粒的晶格结构以及独特的产状特征，揭示了 全新的月球氧化反应机制，为环绕南极-艾特肯盆地磁异常的撞击成因提供了样品实证。 "地球由于富含水和氧气，极易形成三价铁的氧化物，也就是人们常说的'铁会生锈'，但是换在月球的 环境下则截然不同。"山东大学空间科学与技术学院副院长凌宗成教授说，由于月球表面没有大气保护 且缺乏水，被科学家们认为整体处于"还原环境"，缺少氧化作用的关键证据，特别是赤铁矿等高价态铁 氧化物。 左图是使用透射电子显微镜拍摄的赤铁矿晶粒的高角度环形暗场像，右图是使用两种特征元素区分的铁 氧化物（氧元素，品红色）颗粒和陨硫铁（硫元素，青色）颗粒的接触关系。（受访单位供图） 本次研究发现了月球也会"生锈"，且与地球上的"铁锈"并非"一个模子刻出来的"。凌宗成介绍，虽然月 球赤铁矿的成分和地球上一样都是三氧化二铁 ...