Core Insights - The research team from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has conducted high-precision potassium isotope analysis on samples collected by the Chang'e 6 mission, revealing significant insights into the impact event of the South Pole-Aitken Basin and its effects on the Moon's evolution [1] Group 1 - The Chang'e 6 mission collected samples from the largest impact basin on the Moon, the South Pole-Aitken Basin, providing critical samples for studying the effects of this large-scale impact event [1] - The research team performed high-precision potassium isotope analysis on milligram-scale basalt single grains from the Chang'e 6 mission, finding that the basalt has higher potassium-41 and potassium-39 ratios compared to Apollo samples from the Moon's near side [1] - The study confirmed that the impact event altered the potassium isotope composition of the Moon's mantle, leading to potassium loss and elevated isotope ratios, which may have suppressed volcanic activity on the Moon's far side [1]

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]

Core Viewpoint - The research team from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has revealed that the impact event in the South Pole-Aitken Basin led to the loss of moderately volatile elements in the lunar mantle, providing significant insights into the effects of large impacts on lunar evolution and the origins of the Moon's dichotomy [1] Group 1: Research Findings - The study utilized high-precision potassium isotope analysis of samples collected by the Chang'e 6 mission, marking the first time such an analysis has been conducted on lunar far side samples [1] - The results indicated that the Chang'e 6 basalt samples exhibited a higher potassium-41/potassium-39 ratio compared to Apollo samples from the lunar near side [1] - The research confirmed that the impact event altered the potassium isotope composition of the lunar mantle, resulting in potassium loss and elevated isotope ratios [1] Group 2: Implications of Findings - The loss of volatiles during the high-temperature and high-pressure conditions of the impact likely suppressed later volcanic activity on the lunar far side, providing critical clues for understanding the geological evolution history of the Moon's near and far sides [1] - The study contributes to the understanding of how early large impact events may have influenced the deep structure of the Moon, which remains unclear [1]