Explore the hidden layers of the moon

Explore the hidden layers of the moon

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Introduction

Explore the hidden layers of the moon. The moon, Earth’s celestial companion, has captivated humanity for centuries. While its familiar face is visible to us, there are hidden layers beneath its surface that hold intriguing mysteries waiting to be unraveled.

In this blog post, we will embark on a journey to explore the hidden layers of the moon, delving into the scientific discoveries and ongoing research that shed light on its enigmatic nature.

The Moon

The Moon, our celestial neighbor, has fascinated scientists and space enthusiasts for centuries. Over the years, numerous expeditions have revealed some of its secrets, but there is always more to discover.

In a recent interview with Jianqing Feng, a leading lunar scientist and planetary scientist at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona, we delve into the pioneering research of the Chang’e 4 mission, shedding light on the moon’s geological history and the mysterious layered structures beneath. Its surface.

 

Explore the hidden layers of the moon
REUTERS

 

A waxing crescent shines during International Moon Day, which marks the anniversary of the day humans first landed on the moon.

Jianqing Feng, the study’s lead researcher, collaborated with a team of dedicated scientists, including Matthew A. Siegler, Yan Su, Chunyue Ding, and Iraklis Giannakis. While the interview focuses primarily on Feng’s data and experiences, it is necessary to acknowledge the collaborative efforts that led to these remarkable discoveries.

Uncover the secrets of the moon

The main focus of the interview was to obtain information about the study’s main conclusions regarding layered structures in the upper several hundred meters of the lunar surface along the path of Chang’e 4.

According to Feng, ground-penetrating radar technology has provided a unique glimpse into the moon’s interior. In the first 40 metres, a mixture of dust, dirt and fractured rock, known as regolith, is identified.

The implications of these conclusions are profound for our understanding of the geological history of the Moon. The layers within the upper 40 meters represent ejecta from large nearby craters, some located hundreds of kilometers away, and provide a historical record of lunar impacts.

 

JIANQING FENG, A LUNAR AND PLANETARY SCIENTIST AT THE PLANETARY SCIENCE INSTITUTE

Hidden Crater

“We identified a few layers of this mixture, usually about 10 meters thick, and we even discovered a hidden crater,” Feng said. When the rover drilled between 90 and 300 metres, it encountered five distinct layers that resembled thick slices of Moon Pie. Some layers were surprisingly thin, only 20 meters high, while others were more than 70 meters thick. Feng emphasized that the deeper the layers, the larger they became.

“The implications of these conclusions are profound for our understanding of the geological history of the Moon,” says Feng. “The layers within the upper 40 meters represent ejecta from large nearby craters, some of which are located hundreds of kilometers away, and provide a historical record of lunar impacts.”

 

NASANASA

Daedalus Crater on the moon’s surface as seen from the Apollo 11 spacecraft

In contrast, layers located at a depth of more than 90 meters are composed of basalt rocks, indicating ancient lava eruptions that occurred billions of years ago.” These discoveries open a window into the Moon’s dynamic past.

Overcoming technological challenges

Regarding the technological challenges faced during explorations of the lunar surface based on radar, and how the Chang’e 4 mission addressed them, Feng indicated that he did not participate directly in preparing the equipment for the project, “I am not familiar with the ground-penetrating radar that the probe carried, and I am not involved in the project.” “Exploring the Chinese moon now. Therefore, I have no information about this issue.” The challenges and solutions highlighted the complexity surrounding lunar exploration.

 

The great depth of the layered structures raises questions about how this information could potentially contribute to the future of manned lunar missions. This enhances interest in safe landing sites and potential habitats.

 

 

The great depth of the layered structures raises questions about how this information could potentially contribute to the future of manned lunar missions. This raises interest in safe landing sites and potential habitats.

Feng pointed out that the discovery of a lava tube within these layers may serve as a natural shield and a potential natural habitat for humans who may live on the moon in the future.

Feng emphasizes the importance of the layers discovered under the surface of the Moon, and says that “the layers less than 90 meters high consist of basalt rocks, and their thickness can provide data about the size of volcanic eruptions that occurred on the Moon in the past,” which provides valuable data for understanding the geological evolution of the Moon. .

 

Explore the hidden layers of the moonShutterstock

The Chinese lunar probe Chang’e 4 landed on the moon’s surface, with the planet Sun visible in the background.

The discovery of a hidden crater under the surface of the moon may seem like a small detail, but it carries important implications. This well-preserved evidence helps clarify the origin of the “crushed” material on the moon’s surface, which results from many similar impacts, according to Feng.

The importance of the Aitken Basin

The study also examines the structure of the Moon’s south pole – the Aitken Basin, which Feng points out is “one of the known impact craters in the solar system. Scientists suspect that this basin is large enough that it may have penetrated the lunar crust, exposing material from the mantle.” the moon”.

 

The layers located at a depth of more than 90 meters are composed of basalt rocks, indicating ancient lava eruptions that occurred billions of years ago. These revelations open a window into the Moon’s dynamic past.

 

 

According to the scientist, understanding this exposed material and the subsurface structure of the basin is one of the factors in understanding the formation of the moon, its nature, and its internal developments.

Understanding lunar volcanoes

Finally, the research points to a fascinating trend: a decrease in the size of lunar lava eruptions over time.

 

Explore the hidden layers of the moon

Jianqing Feng, a senior lunar scientist and planetary scientist at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona

This finding, according to Feng, provides valuable data about the energy that sustained volcanic activity on the Moon in the past, and may help explain why volcanic activity has stopped at the present time.

Jianqing Feng stressed that his participation in the research stems from a deep interest in and familiarity with the data, and that the conclusions presented do not represent the official position of the Chinese authorities, but they contribute to enhancing our knowledge of the mysteries of Earth’s mysterious moon.

The Lunar Crust:

Beneath the moon’s dusty surface lies its crust, which is composed of various types of rock. Recent studies have revealed that the moon’s crust is significantly thinner than that of Earth, ranging from 30 to 40 kilometers in depth. This thin crust is a result of intense volcanic activity during the moon’s early history.

The lunar crust refers to the outermost layer of the moon’s surface. It is composed of various types of rock, primarily basalt and anorthosite. The crust is significantly thinner than Earth’s crust, ranging from 30 to 40 kilometers in depth.

Intense volcanic activity

The formation of the lunar crust can be attributed to intense volcanic activity during the moon’s early history. As the moon was forming, molten rock, or magma, rose to the surface and solidified, creating the crust. This volcanic activity was driven by the moon’s internal heat and the impact of asteroids and other celestial bodies.

The composition of the lunar crust provides valuable insights into the moon’s geological history. Basalt, a type of volcanic rock, is abundant on the moon’s surface and is formed from solidified lava flows. Anorthosite, on the other hand, is a lighter-colored rock composed mainly of a mineral called plagioclase feldspar.

Moon’s formation

Studying the lunar crust helps scientists understand the moon’s formation and evolution. By analyzing the composition and age of lunar rocks brought back by Apollo missions and lunar meteorites, scientists have been able to piece together a timeline of the moon’s geological history.

They have also gained insights into the moon’s volcanic activity, the impact of meteorite bombardment, and the processes that shaped its surface.

In recent years, there have been efforts to explore the moon’s crust in more detail. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), launched by NASA in 2009, has provided high-resolution images and data that have enhanced our understanding of the moon’s surface features, including the crust.

Future missions, such as NASA’s Artemis program, aim to return humans to the moon and conduct further scientific investigations, including the study of the lunar crust.

Overall, the lunar crust is a crucial component of the moon’s structure and history. By studying its composition, formation, and geological processes, scientists can gain valuable insights into the moon’s past and its significance in understanding the formation and evolution of rocky bodies in our solar system.

The Mantle:

Deeper within the moon lies its mantle, a layer of solid rock that extends from the crust to the moon’s core. The composition and properties of the lunar mantle are still being explored, but scientists believe it consists mainly of silicate minerals. Understanding the mantle’s structure and composition can provide valuable insights into the moon’s formation and evolution.

The mantle is a layer beneath the lunar crust, extending from the surface down to the moon’s core. It is a region of solid rock that plays a crucial role in the moon’s internal structure and geological processes.

Composition Explore the hidden layers of the moon

The composition and properties of the lunar mantle are still being explored, but scientists believe it consists mainly of silicate minerals, such as pyroxene and olivine. These minerals are similar to those found in Earth’s mantle. The mantle is thought to be relatively solid, although there may be localized regions of partial melting.

Understanding the lunar mantle is important for gaining insights into the moon’s formation and evolution. It provides clues about the moon’s internal processes, such as heat flow, convection, and the movement of molten material. Explore the hidden layers of the moon

By studying the mantle, scientists can better understand the moon’s geological history, including the formation of its volcanic features and the processes that shaped its surface.

One area of interest is the presence of magma chambers within the lunar mantle. These chambers are thought to have formed during periods of volcanic activity when molten rock accumulated beneath the surface.

By studying the composition and distribution of these magma chambers, scientists can gain insights into the moon’s volcanic history and the potential for future volcanic activity.

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Moon’s thermal history

The mantle also plays a role in the moon’s thermal history. Heat from the moon’s core and radioactive decay within the mantle contribute to the moon’s internal heat flow. Understanding the distribution and movement of heat within the mantle helps scientists better comprehend the moon’s thermal evolution and its impact on surface features.

While direct sampling of the lunar mantle has not yet been achieved, scientists have gained valuable information through the study of lunar samples brought back by the Apollo missions. These samples provide insights into the composition and mineralogy of the mantle and have contributed to our understanding of the moon’s geological processes. Explore the hidden layers of the moon

In the future, further exploration and research missions, such as the Artemis program, aim to collect additional samples and conduct more in-depth studies of the lunar mantle. By unraveling the mysteries of the mantle, scientists can deepen our understanding of the moon’s formation, its internal dynamics, and its role in the broader context of planetary science.

Lunar Core: Explore the hidden layers of the moon

At the moon’s center lies its core, which is believed to be small and partially molten. The exact size and composition of the lunar core remain uncertain, but it is thought to consist of iron and other heavy elements. Studying the moon’s core can help scientists better understand the moon’s magnetic field and its relationship with Earth’s magnetic field.

Impact Craters:

One of the most prominent features on the moon’s surface is its vast number of impact craters. These craters were formed by the impact of asteroids, comets, and other celestial bodies over billions of years. By studying these craters, scientists can gain insights into the moon’s geological history, the frequency of impacts, and the composition of the objects that collided with it.

Lunar Volcanism:

Although the moon is often considered geologically inactive, evidence of past volcanic activity can be found in the form of volcanic plains and lava flows. The study of lunar volcanism provides valuable information about the moon’s internal processes and its volcanic history. It also offers insights into the potential for future lunar exploration and the availability of resources such as water ice.

FAQS

What is the hidden structure on the Moon?

According to the investigation, the first 130 feet of the lunar surface are composed of layers of dust, soil, and boulders, and there is a buried crater that was created when a big object crashed into the moon’s surface. Additionally, there is proof of ancient lava flows beneath the moon.

What are the layers of the Moon?

Structure. The Moon of Earth has a crust, mantle, and core. The core of the Moon is proportionally smaller than the cores of other terrestrial bodies.

What did China discover on the dark side of the moon?

The new map reveals that layers of dust, soil, and rocks make up the first 40 metres of the Moon’s crust. The researchers discovered a secret impact crater within this top layer, which they believe was concealed by collision debris.

What structures were found on the Moon?

The findings: According to the lead study author Jianqing Feng, the team discovered layers of dust and shattered rock that they believe were expelled after the impact along with indications of a crater in the top 130 feet of the moon. The new moon map shows five layers of volcanic rock further below.

Why is the moon hidden?

We can see the entire Full Moon once the Moon’s face is fully tilted towards the Sun. But when the Moon revolves around the Earth, the face that faces us gradually – and this is a New Moon – becomes veiled from the Sun until we can hardly see it at all.

Which country first reached the dark side of the moon?

China was the third nation to set foot on the moon in 2013. China was the first nation to successfully land a rover on the moon’s far side on January 3, 2019.

Is there a flag on the Moon?

The American flag left behind by Apollo 17 is the largest of those flying over the Moon. When spread out, it stretches six feet. Even the most advanced professional observatories with cutting-edge optics are unable to observe a target so small at a distance of 25,000 miles from the moon from Earth.

Conclusion:

The moon, with its hidden layers and enigmatic features, continues to fascinate scientists and explorers alike. Through ongoing research and technological advancements, we are gradually uncovering the secrets that lie beneath its surface.
By studying the moon’s hidden layers, we gain a deeper understanding of its formation, evolution, and its significance in unraveling the mysteries of our solar system. As we continue to explore and learn more about the moon, we move closer to unlocking the secrets of our celestial neighbor and expanding our knowledge of the universe.

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