Impact-induced ultra-high melting point oldhamite discovered in Chang’E-6 lunar soil

Chang'E-6 lunar soil was the first sample collected on the lunar farside. It provides insights into impact history and thermodynamic evolution of the Moon. Here we show the discovered widespread oldhamite (CaS) in lunar regolith samples. Analysis of the microscopic composition and crystal structure showed that the oldhamite has a cubic structure and presence at the interface of glass and iron on the surface of the impact glass beads, suggesting a interface thermochemical reaction. Thermodynamic calculations show that the formation of chemical reactions requires a reducing atmosphere and high temperature to ensure reducing environment and high iron activity for promoting the interaction. Such environment suggests a potential large-scale, high-energy impact event with a S-rich asteroid or involving lunar S-rich mantle-core excavation. Oldhamite has never been observed in other lunar samples from near side. Our findings reveal a unique evolution history of the South Pole-Aitken basin, which is distinct from nearside.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2025-03-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57337-0
Citations
6
Primary Topic
Planetary Science and Exploration
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
6.93

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article

Impact-induced ultra-high melting point oldhamite discovered in Chang’E-6 lunar soil

Xiongyao Li, Qin Zhou, Jiyang Xie, Jie Yang et al.
6 citations
Nature Communications
Planetary Science and Exploration
6.93
article

Impact-induced ultra-high melting point oldhamite discovered in Chang’E-6 lunar soil

Xiongyao Li, Qin Zhou, Jiyang Xie, Jie Yang, Xiaojia Zeng, Yuanyun Wen, Wanbiao Hu, Li Wang, Li Chen, Yang Li, Jianzhong Liu, Ronghua Pang, Wenhui Ma, Zixuan Han
article en
6 citations

Abstract

Chang'E-6 lunar soil was the first sample collected on the lunar farside. It provides insights into impact history and thermodynamic evolution of the Moon. Here we show the discovered widespread oldhamite (CaS) in lunar regolith samples. Analysis of the microscopic composition and crystal structure showed that the oldhamite has a cubic structure and presence at the interface of glass and iron on the surface of the impact glass beads, suggesting a interface thermochemical reaction. Thermodynamic calculations show that the formation of chemical reactions requires a reducing atmosphere and high temperature to ensure reducing environment and high iron activity for promoting the interaction. Such environment suggests a potential large-scale, high-energy impact event with a S-rich asteroid or involving lunar S-rich mantle-core excavation. Oldhamite has never been observed in other lunar samples from near side. Our findings reveal a unique evolution history of the South Pole-Aitken basin, which is distinct from nearside.

Nature CommunicationsVol. 16(1)
Yunnan University (CN), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (CN), Institute of Geochemistry (CN)
Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Strategic Promotion of Innovative R and D
Climate action
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Planetary Science and Exploration
6.93
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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