South Pole-Aitken Basin

Schematic illustration of how the impact that created the South Pole-Aitken Basin altered the lunar crust and mantle, leading to the loss of volatiles during the event. Credit: Illustration by Prof. Heng-Si Tien

Groundbreaking research: The giant impact that created the South Polar Basin changed the interior of the moon, not just the surface

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Analysis of samples collected by China's Chang'e-6 spacecraft reveals a unique geochemical signature indicating a massive loss of volatiles from the lunar mantle – and offers a new explanation for the mysterious asymmetry between the near and far sides
Imaging of the Changa 6 spacecraft landing on land on the far side of the moon (Image credit: CNSA)

China's Chang'e 6 mission launched the samples from the far side of the moon into lunar orbit. The next stop is Earth

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China is the only country to successfully land on the hemisphere of the moon that faces away from Earth. * The container containing the samples collected by Changa 6 is expected to land on Earth on June 25
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