Articles tagged with Lunar Surface
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A recent study suggests that lunar spacecraft exhaust methane can contaminate areas of the moon where original ingredients of earthly life may be found. The pollution can unfold rapidly, with more than half of the total exhaust methane settling in regions potentially harboring prebiotic organic molecules within seven days.
A recent study analyzed Apollo-era samples to understand how space weathering affects lunar surface materials and their far-ultraviolet reflectance. The research provided valuable insights into the evolution of the lunar surface, enabling better interpretation of remote sensing data from lunar missions.
Researchers develop comprehensive model to analyze electrostatic and contact interaction between low-velocity lunar dust and spacecraft. The study focuses on the effects of plasma sheaths and electric charges on dust particles, aiming to improve long-term extravehicular activity and permanent station establishment on the lunar surface.
Researchers have identified crystalline hematite and maghemite formed by major impact events in lunar soil samples. This finding provides direct sample-based evidence of highly oxidized materials on the lunar surface.
A research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences found that lunar surface water has a global source in the solar wind, with its distribution mainly controlled by latitude and regolith maturity. The study used samples from China's Chang'e-6 mission and NASA's Apollo missions to analyze the abundance and origin of lunar surface water.
A recent study found that most new lunar landslides were triggered by endogenic moonquakes, rather than new impacts or thermal weathering. The research team discovered 41 new landslides in the eastern Imbrium Basin, a region with known seismic activity.
A UTEP geologist is part of a team mapping the moon using state-of-the-art data and AI. The goal is to create accurate maps for NASA's Artemis missions, which aim to send astronauts to the south pole for the first time.
The Artemis II crew will conduct scientific investigations that will inform future deep space missions, including lunar science activities. They will analyze geologic features, collect rock samples, and gather data on the effects of the space environment on their health and performance.
Researchers found that ground acceleration from moonquakes can shift lunar landscapes and threaten stability of future missions. The study assesses damage risk using new models of quakes and finds a one in 20 million chance of a potentially damaging moonquake occurring near an active fault.
The LPP, COSPAR, and IAU have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on lunar science and ethics. The partnership aims to develop principles and practices for balanced approaches to lunar activities, with a focus on promoting international cooperation and science-informed space policies.
The Chang'e-6 mission has returned samples from the Moon's farside, providing new insights into the lunar geology and thermal evolution. The samples revealed prolonged volcanic activity, a fluctuating magnetic field, asymmetric water distribution, and ultra-depleted mantle signatures.
A 2.35-billion-year-old meteorite offers fresh insights into the Moon's volcanic history and suggests ongoing internal heat generation processes. The rock's distinct composition provides new constraints on when and how volcanic activity occurred on the Moon.
A team of undergrads at CU Boulder has created a digital twin for their robot, Armstrong, which is being used to train human operators on how to navigate the moon's surface. The study found that training in a digital environment resulted in faster task completion and reduced stress.
Scientists have developed two new methods to detect water ice on the lunar surface, with one approach analyzing images from a specialized camera and another detecting buried ice deposits through cosmic rays. The research aims to support future lunar bases and provide resources for humans or be broken down to hydrogen and oxygen.
Researchers and mission planners must optimize hyperspectral data utilization in lunar exploration to unlock new scientific insights and support long-term goals. The study highlights the importance of precise mineral identification and surface parameter retrieval from high-resolution spectral data.
Chinese scientists have discovered that the Moon's farside mantle contains less water than the nearside, according to analysis of basalts collected by the Chang'e-6 mission. The research team found a significant disparity in water content between the two hemispheres, mirroring lunar surface asymmetries.
Dr. Wei Li is creating a virtual lunar welding platform to simulate welding in the moon's harsh environment, addressing temperature fluctuations and extreme vacuum conditions. The project aims to enable reliable large structure assembly on the moon, a crucial step for human colonization.
The study found that solar wind radiation plays a dominant role in space weathering on the lunar farside, differing from the nearside. The Chang'e-6 samples showed less melt drops and no nanophase metallic iron particles, indicating variations in the space environment.
Researchers created solar cells using simulated Moon dust, converting sunlight into energy efficiently and withstanding radiation damage. The new panels produced up to 100 times more energy than traditional solar panels, cutting launch mass by 99.4% and transport costs by 99%.
Researchers at IISc developed a bacteria-based technique to repair lunar bricks damaged by harsh temperatures and solar winds. The process uses Sporosarcina pasteurii to produce calcium carbonate crystals that fill defects and strengthen the brick.
The Southwest Research Institute-led instrument measures electric and magnetic fields to characterize the lunar subsurface, shedding light on material differentiation and thermal history. The deployment marks a new era in lunar exploration, providing unprecedented insights into the Moon's composition and structure.
Scientists found large variations in surface temperatures, suggesting ice may be present near the lunar poles. A new model indicates areas with greater than 14° slope angle could be cool enough for ice to accumulate close to the surface.
The Lunar Thermal Mapper, built by researchers at the University of Oxford, will map surface temperature and composition of the lunar surface 12 times a day. The mission aims to shed light on the lunar water cycle and guide future robotic and human missions.
The Lunar-VISE project aims to investigate the enigmatic Gruithuisen Domes on the moon's surface, studying their silica-rich volcanic origins and ancient lava flows. With a 2028 launch date, scientists hope to reconstruct the moon's history from formation to its current state.
Scientists found evidence of relatively recent geological activity on the moon's far side, contradicting previous assumptions about its 'geological dead' status. The team used advanced dating methods to track changes and found small ridges formed within the last 200 million years.
The Lunar Magnetotelluric Sounder (LMS) instrument will characterize the Moon's mantle by measuring electric and magnetic fields, providing insights into its material differentiation and thermal history. The LMS instrument is part of a 14-day lunar lander mission to explore the Moon's subsurface in a previously unexplored location.
NASA has partnered with Firefly Aerospace to deliver UCF's Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE) payload to the Moon's Gruithuisen Domes. The mission aims to investigate the mysterious silica-rich volcanic features and gather data on lunar regolith for future exploration.
Scientists suggest the Moon underwent a 'remelting' event due to tidal forces, resetting its geological clock and masking its true age with volcanic activity. This hypothesis could account for discrepancies in lunar-rock ages and impact basins, placing the Moon's formation between 4.43 and 4.53 billion years ago.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has launched the Center for Space Technology and Operations Research, which will advance engineering, technology, and operations supporting space missions. The center will address growing demands from civil, commercial, and national security space agencies and companies.
Researchers at University of Maryland have discovered that the South Pole-Aitken basin, the moon's oldest and largest visible crater, is more circular than previously believed. The team used high-resolution data to analyze mountain formations around the basin, revealing a rounder shape indicating a more vertical impact angle.
The study reveals that water ice is present in permanently shadowed regions outside the South Pole, with concentrations expected near coldest locations and poleward-facing slopes. The research provides maps and surface characteristics to identify where ice is likely to be found, aiding lunar mission planners.
A new strategy for massive water production on the Moon has been proposed by Chinese researchers, utilizing reaction between lunar regolith and endogenous hydrogen. The study reveals that one ton of lunar regolith can generate over 50 kg of water, enough for 50 people for a day.
A new study by MIT and University of Chicago scientists pin down the origins of the moon's tenuous atmosphere, finding that meteorite impacts are the primary process. Over billions of years, these constant impacts have kicked up lunar soil, vaporizing certain atoms and lofting particles into a thin atmosphere.
Researchers propose that lunar swirls are caused by subsurface magma, which creates a magnetic anomaly. The team's experiments show that ilmenite can react and form iron metal under the right conditions, producing a magnetizing effect.
Researchers studied Chang'e-5 samples to understand how solar wind irradiation and micrometeorite impacts form metallic iron nanoparticles, revealing distinct effects on size and optical properties. The study provides insights into lunar surface color variations and remote sensing measurements.
The Chang'e-6 lunar probe's surface samples are expected to consist of 2.5-million-year-old volcanic rock combined with small amounts of material generated by meteorite strikes. The samples may also contain evidence of distant impacts, providing crucial constraints on the early impact flux of the Moon.
A new heat-switch device developed by Nagoya University's team enhances lunar-roving vehicles' operational lifespan under harsh Moon conditions. The innovative technology reduces power consumption while maintaining efficient daytime cooling performance and nighttime insulation, making it a critical component for future lunar missions.
The study enhances shape-from-shading technique to create detailed models of lunar terrain with higher resolutions and faster production speeds. Researchers use advanced computer algorithms to automate the process, resulting in more accurate maps that show subtle features and variations of lunar surface terrain.
Researchers at the University of Arizona used computer simulations and spacecraft data to study the moon's geology, finding that a dense layer of titanium-rich material sank into the interior and rose on the near side. The findings suggest that the moon 'turned itself inside out' during its formation.
The Lunar Environment Monitoring System, developed by UMD researchers, will track seismic activity on the moon's surface during the upcoming Artemis III mission. The system's data will help prepare NASA for a long-term presence on other planetary bodies.
The commercial space sector has seen significant growth, with over 2,660 satellites launched into orbit in recent years. International collaborations are also expanding, enabling diverse perspectives and new ideas to emerge in science and space exploration.
A Chinese spacecraft returned a sample of the moon's surface, containing minerals that provide insights into its past. Researchers found high-pressure minerals in the sample, which are unusual in lunar rocks.
A team of scientists found evidence that the moon's shrinkage led to surface warping in its south polar region, including areas proposed for crewed Artemis III landings. Shallow moonquakes can devastate hypothetical human settlements on the moon due to loose sediments and unstable surface slopes.
A research team led by Dr. Ottaviano Rüsch from the University of Münster has discovered anomalous meter-sized rocks on the lunar surface covered in dust, exhibiting unique reflective properties. These findings provide insights into the processes that form and change the lunar crust, including potential magnetic anomalies.
A Western University postdoctoral fellow's discovery of apatite in early lunar crust reveals a volatile-rich surface from 4.5 billion years ago. This finding challenges previous understanding and offers exciting new evidence for the Moon's early history.
Scientists have unraveled a major mystery in lunar geology by identifying a key step in the creation of unique magmas. High-temperature laboratory experiments and isotopic analyses reveal a critical reaction that controls their composition, providing new insights into the origin of volcanic lunar rocks.
The EXPLORE toolkit offers interactive visual analytics and machine learning to analyze galaxy data, identify unusual stars, and visualize the lunar surface. Users can create immersive experiences, including 3D models of the Moon and interactive sky maps.
Human activities have significantly impacted the moon's environment since Luna 2 landed in 1959. The Lunar Anthropocene concept aims to raise awareness about humanity's influence on the lunar surface and its preservation.
Researchers investigate the interaction between solar wind and the Moon's surface, exploring the formation of lunar swirls and the influence of magnetic fields. The study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in understanding the Moon's space environment.
Researchers found a rare pathway allowing a moon fragment to reach Earth's quasi-satellite orbit. The study suggests that many more lunar fragments remain to be discovered among the near-Earth asteroid population.
Researchers examine the complex interactions between solar wind and the Moon's surface environment, including small-scale magnetic fields, lunar swirls, and regolith layer dynamics. The study highlights the need for further in-situ observations to understand these processes and their implications for human activities on the Moon.
High-energy electrons from Earth's plasma sheet contribute to weathering processes on the Moon's surface, aiding in the formation of water. The discovery may help explain the origin of lunar water ice and provide insights into the Moon's evolution.
Researchers used Fibonacci's method to calculate the Moon's shape, finding that its poles are half a kilometre closer to its centre of mass than its equator. This information is crucial for applying GPS technology to the Moon.
A team of Swiss robots, including legged ANYmal and wheeled robots, is sent to explore a challenging terrain, showcasing the benefits of redundancy and specialization. The robots work together to detect minerals and identify rocks, with semi-autonomous capabilities for direct task assignment.
The Chang'e project has successfully mapped the Moon's surface, composition and inner workings, providing new insights into its evolution and potential resources. Future research aims to unlock the secrets of water ice and lunar material composition.
Researchers have found a new water reservoir on the Moon, discovered in impact glass beads, which can buffer the lunar surface water cycle. The study suggests that these beads can store and release solar wind-derived water, indicating their potential for in-situ resource utilization.
Scientists have discovered a new type of solid crystal that forms when water and table salt combine in cold and high-pressure conditions, potentially existing on the surface of Jupiter's moons. This finding has significant implications for planetary science and the search for extraterrestrial life, as it could explain the mysterious ch...
A University of Utah-led study explores using space dust as a shield to reduce solar radiation and slow global warming. Launching lunar dust from the moon instead of Earth's way station at L1 could be an effective and cheap solution.
Researchers found high ferric iron content in agglutinate glass from lunar soil returned by China's Chang'e-5 mission. The discovery challenges previous knowledge about lunar ferric iron and suggests ongoing charge disproportionation reactions, leading to progressively increasing ferric iron on the Moon's surface.
A joint research team from China has discovered high concentrations of hydrogen and low deuterium/hydrogen ratios in lunar soil grain rims consistent with solar wind origin. This finding suggests that the bulk water content in Chang'e-5 lunar soils is around 46 ppm, which could be higher in polar regions.