Differences in space weathering between the near and far side of the Moon: evidence from Chang'e-6 samples

The differences in terrain and chemical composition between the far side of the Moon (lunar farside) and the near side have been identified through remote sensing spectroscopy. The lunar farside samples returned by the Chang'e-6 mission show differences in terms of space weathering features compared to nearside samples. The studied farside samples lack vapor deposition layers found on the nearside and exhibit thinner amorphized layers, lower solar flare track densities, reduced number densities of nano phase metallic iron (npFe<sup>0</sup>) and larger npFe<sup>0</sup> grain sizes. These findings suggest that the solar wind plays a dominant role in space weathering on the Chang'e-6 sampling site, surpassing micrometeorite impacts. This could provide critical sample-based evidence of the lunar space environment's dichotomy, enhancing our understanding of how solar wind and micrometeoroid impacts shape the lunar surface, even over short exposure periods.

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Publication Details

Journal
National Science Review
Published
2025-03-05
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwaf087
Citations
7
Primary Topic
Planetary Science and Exploration
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
8.08

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Differences in space weathering between the near and far side of the Moon: evidence from Chang'e-6 samples

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Differences in space weathering between the near and far side of the Moon: evidence from Chang'e-6 samples

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article en
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Abstract

The differences in terrain and chemical composition between the far side of the Moon (lunar farside) and the near side have been identified through remote sensing spectroscopy. The lunar farside samples returned by the Chang'e-6 mission show differences in terms of space weathering features compared to nearside samples. The studied farside samples lack vapor deposition layers found on the nearside and exhibit thinner amorphized layers, lower solar flare track densities, reduced number densities of nano phase metallic iron (npFe<sup>0</sup>) and larger npFe<sup>0</sup> grain sizes. These findings suggest that the solar wind plays a dominant role in space weathering on the Chang'e-6 sampling site, surpassing micrometeorite impacts. This could provide critical sample-based evidence of the lunar space environment's dichotomy, enhancing our understanding of how solar wind and micrometeoroid impacts shape the lunar surface, even over short exposure periods.

National Science ReviewVol. 12(6)
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Planetary Science and Exploration
8.08
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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