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Discovery on the far side of the moon reveals mysterious structures deep within, raising questions about the satellite's formation
The Moon, our closest celestial neighbor, has been a constant source of fascination for humanity, inspiring art, literature and science. For centuries it has been shrouded in mystery, and recently, thanks to advances in space exploration, we have begun to unlock some of the secrets of its complex geological history, which stretches back billions of years.
In 2018 the China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched the mission Chang'e-4, which marked a historic moment: the first spacecraft to land on the far side of the Moon, often referred to as “dark side".
Contrary to what many believe, this side is not permanently dark, but rather the side that is never visible to Earth due to the synchronized movement of the Moon in relation to ours. planet.
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Revealing geological discoveries
Since landing Chang'e-4, The lander has been collecting important data, including planned images and mineral samples.
These analyses have shed light on the geological structure of the first 40 meters of the lunar surface, revealing layers of dust, soil and fractured rocks, each with a history of catastrophic events and a landscape in constant flux. transformation.
In early November, the scientific community was eagerly awaiting new discoveries from Chang'e-4. Documented in the scientific journal Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, these discoveries provide a detailed view of the formation and evolution of the far side of the Moon.
One of the highlights was the identification of a crater formed by the impact of a large object, highlighting the violence of cosmic events that shaped the lunar surface.
The origin of the moon: giant impact theory
The origin of the Moon is attributed to a colossal event that occurred around 4,51 billion years ago. According to the most widely accepted theory, an object the size of Mars collided with the Earth, tearing off a mass of material that eventually came together and solidified, forming the Moon.
In the first 200 million years after its formation, the Moon underwent intense volcanic activity, as space debris continually collided with its surface, creating countless craters and cracks.
Researcher Jianqing Feng of the Planetary Science Institute explains that, like the Earth's mantle, the lunar mantle housed molten magma that, when it encountered cracks in the crust, resulted in volcanic eruptions.
This activity left layers of lava on the surface, recorded today in scientific rock formations by Chang'e-4.
The evolution of lunar volcanic activity
An intriguing pattern observed in the layers of volcanic rock suggests that as these layers approach the surface, they become thinner. This observation led Feng to infer that the Moon was slowly losing its internal energy, reducing its ability to generate volcanic eruptions.
Scientists currently believe that the Moon's volcanic activity ceased between one billion and 100 million years ago, which made the surface geologically "dead."
However, recent data has raised the possibility that magma reservoirs may still exist deep within the lunar interior. Although the surface shows no signs of activity, the Moon's subsurface may harbor remnants of this magma, just waiting for the right conditions to emerge.
Fun facts about the dark side of the moon
- It's not really dark : The far side of the Moon receives the same amount of sunlight as the visible side.
- Intense crater formation : Without the protection of the Earth's magnetic field, the hidden side is more exposed to meteors, which explains the greater number of craters.
- The South Pole Basin-Aitken : This is the largest impact crater in the Solar System, located on the far side.
- Ancient lava flows : The dark side also has dark barriers, such as the Ocean of Storms, the result of ancient volcanic eruptions.
The exploration continues
Despite all the knowledge gained, Chang'e-4's journey is far from over. Feng and his team believe we are just at the beginning of an era of groundbreaking lunar exploration.
They envision future missions mapping the lunar surface in detail and deepening our understanding of its formation and evolution.
The Enduring Fascination with the Hidden Side
As we look up at the night sky and see the Moon, we can now contemplate its history in a deeper way.
Not only the brightness of a mysterious star, but also the narratives of an ancient world, marked by cosmic collisions and volcanoes, unveiled by our innate curiosity and technological advances.
The dark side of the Moon has been the subject of much speculation and even conspiracy theories, such as the idea of secret bases. Although there is no scientific evidence to support these ideas, the mystery still persists and captivates the popular imagination.
The legacy of Chang'e-4 discoveries
The revelations of the Chang'e-4 mission significantly advance our understanding of the Moon and its history.
This monumental effort by CNSA is an example of human curiosity, perseverance and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. And so, the Moon’s glow seems a little brighter, illuminated by the stories we now share with it, reinforcing our connection to the cosmos.
