Lunar Geological Map and Data
The first detailed geological map of the moon’s south polar region, created using data from Chandrayaan-3's Pragyan rover.
The map provides insights into the moon's origin and evolution, revealing an ancient underground magma ocean.
The map was created by scientists from Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, Panjab University, and ISRO, using data from the Pragyan rover’s nine-day mission.
The map helps identify the primary source of debris around the landing site, linked to the Schomberger crater.
Magma Discovery and Moon's Evolution
The discovery of magma beneath the moon’s surface, confirmed by the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer aboard Pragyan, strengthens theories of an ancient molten rock ocean.
The moon's geochemistry and isotopic composition share similarities with Earth, highlighting their common origin from a cloud of molten material.
The moon's history is tied to a massive collision between Earth and a planetary rock, resulting in the creation of the moon from debris.
Impact Craters and Scientific Significance
The Vikram lander landed near the South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the largest impact craters in the Solar System.
Lunar craters preserve important records of space impacts and are used to study planetary evolution.
The moon's lack of atmosphere allows craters to remain undisturbed, preserving historical records of space impacts for millions of years.
Craters also provide key insights into the history of asteroid and space-rock collisions in the early solar system.
Lunar Contamination Concerns
Increasing human missions to the moon raise concerns about the contamination of lunar ice reserves and regolith — the loose rock fragments and dust that cover the lunar surface.
The water vapor released from lunar landers’ engines can freeze at the poles, contaminating lunar ice reserves and causing inaccurate readings in ice studies.
As morAe missions and potential lunar mining begin, the contamination risk increases, impacting scientific research and the environment.
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