China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe has successfully brought back samples from the Moon’s South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin, the largest, deepest, and oldest impact crater. Scientists are analyzing the samples to uncover insights into the Moon’s early evolution.

China's Chang'e-6 probe returns lunar samples for study

Among the 2,196 Moon rock samples collected over several Apollo missions (1968-72), NASA has decided to open one of the last pieces that was brought to Earth nearly 50 years ago.

Dubbed 73001, the rock sample was collected by US astronauts in December 1972 during the Apollo 17 mission—the last of the program.

Astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison “Jack” Schmitt collected the sample by ploughing a 14-inch tube into the lunar surface.

Of the only two samples to have been vacuum sealed on the Moon, this is the first to be opened.

It is being said that these samples contain gases or volatile substances&nbsp;(water,&nbsp;carbon dioxide, etc.)

The rock sample was vacuum-sealed in a tube for later in order to take advantage of future scientific technologies. This is why it took them nearly 50 years to reach the last few pieces.

<img alt="( Credit: NASA) One of the Apollo 17 astronauts used a metal pole to collect a sample on the surface of the Moon in 1972." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ab677da3-2879-4ac7-9fce-b2bddd0fb3ab" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/NASA_1.jpg" />

NASA knew "science and technology would evolve and allow scientists to study the material in new ways to address new questions in the future," Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters, said in a statement.

In early February, the outer protective tube was first removed.

It was not itself revealed to contain any lunar gas, indicating that the sample it contained remained sealed.

Then on February 23, scientists began a week-long process aimed at piercing the main tube and harvesting the gas contained inside.

In the spring, the rock will then be carefully extracted and broken up so that it can be studied by different scientific teams.

The extraction site of this sample is particularly interesting because it is the site of a landslide.

"Now we don't have rain on the Moon," said Juliane Gross, deputy Apollo curator. "And so we don't quite understand how landslides happen on the Moon."

Gross said researchers hope to study the sample to understand what causes landslides.

(With inputs from agencies)

Among the 2,196 Moon rock samples collected over several Apollo missions (1968-72), NASA has decided to open one of the last pieces that was brought to Earth nearly 50 years ago.

Among the 2,196 Moon rock samples collected over several Apollo missions (1968-72), NASA has decided to open one of the last pieces that was brought to Earth nearly 50 years ago. Dubbed 73001, the rock sample was collected by US astronauts in December 1972 during the Apollo 17 mission—the last of the program. Astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison “Jack” Schmitt collected the sample by ploughing a 14-inch tube into the lunar surface. Of the only two samples to have been vacuum sealed on the Moon, this is the first to be opened. It is being said that these samples contain gases or volatile substances (water, carbon dioxide, etc.) The rock sample was vacuum-sealed in a tube for later in order to take advantage of future scientific technologies. This is why it took them nearly 50 years to reach the last few pieces. NASA knew "science and technology would evolve and allow scientists to study the material in new ways to address new questions in the future," Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters, said in a statement. In early February, the outer protective tube was first removed. It was not itself revealed to contain any lunar gas, indicating that the sample it contained remained sealed. Then on February 23, scientists began a week-long process aimed at piercing the main tube and harvesting the gas contained inside. In the spring, the rock will then be carefully extracted and broken up so that it can be studied by different scientific teams. The extraction site of this sample is particularly interesting because it is the site of a landslide. "Now we don't have rain on the Moon," said Juliane Gross, deputy Apollo curator. "And so we don't quite understand how landslides happen on the Moon." Gross said researchers hope to study the sample to understand what causes landslides. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA finally decides to open Moon sample sealed since 1972

The Chinese spacecraft carrying rocks and soil from the moon will soon be landing back on the Earth as it has now started its journey back to the home planet.

Chang'e-5 started its journey back to the Earth on Sunday with its engine being ignited at&nbsp; 230 km (143 miles) from the surface of the moon early on Sunday. The engine&nbsp;was then shut down after 22 minutes as the craft turned towards the Earth, China's&nbsp;National Space Administration said in a statement.

If the mission is declared a success, China will become the first country since 1976 to bring back lunar samples and the third in the world to ever bring back samples from the moon — the first being the US and second being the Soviet Union.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-lunar-probe-change-5-mission-lands-on-moon-report-346765">China's lunar probe Chang'e-5 mission lands on Moon: Report</a>

The landing will take place in&nbsp;Inner Mongolia. In the beginning, it was reported the mission was to collect nearly 2 kg&nbsp;(4.4 lbs) of samples of rocks and soil from "Ocean of Storms" — a part of the Moon. However, the final weight of the samples&nbsp;hasn't been disclosed yet, and will be revealed only after the spacecraft lands.

This is China's first moon mission since 2013. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-lunar-probe-change-5-mission-lands-on-moon-report-346765">Chang'e-4</a>&nbsp;probe in January 2019 had landed on the far side of the Moon. However,&nbsp;Chang'e-5 landed on the Moon and started drilling on the surface of the Moon within hours of landing.

The Chinese foreign ministry has described this as "revolutionary in increasing human understanding of the history of the Moon."

The Chinese spacecraft carrying rocks and soil from the moon will soon be landing back on the Earth as it has now started its journey back to the home planet. Chang'e-5 started its journey back to the Earth on Sunday with its engine being ignited at 230 km (143 miles) from the surface of the moon early on Sunday.

The Chinese spacecraft carrying rocks and soil from the moon will soon be landing back on the Earth as it has now started its journey back to the home planet. Chang'e-5 started its journey back to the Earth on Sunday with its engine being ignited at 230 km (143 miles) from the surface of the moon early on Sunday. The engine was then shut down after 22 minutes as the craft turned towards the Earth, China's National Space Administration said in a statement. If the mission is declared a success, China will become the first country since 1976 to bring back lunar samples and the third in the world to ever bring back samples from the moon — the first being the US and second being the Soviet Union. Also read| China's lunar probe Chang'e-5 mission lands on Moon: Report The landing will take place in Inner Mongolia. In the beginning, it was reported the mission was to collect nearly 2 kg (4.4 lbs) of samples of rocks and soil from "Ocean of Storms" — a part of the Moon. However, the final weight of the samples hasn't been disclosed yet, and will be revealed only after the spacecraft lands. This is China's first moon mission since 2013. The Chang'e-4 probe in January 2019 had landed on the far side of the Moon. However, Chang'e-5 landed on the Moon and started drilling on the surface of the Moon within hours of landing. The Chinese foreign ministry has described this as "revolutionary in increasing human understanding of the history of the Moon."

China moon probe begins journey back to Earth after collecting lunar samples

moon-samples

Moon Samples, News on Moon Samples, stories on Moon Samples, articles on Moon Samples, Moon Samples stories at Wion, Moon Samples news, Moon Samples latest news

moon samples

China's Chang'e-6 probe returns lunar samples for study

NASA finally decides to open Moon sample sealed since 1972

China moon probe begins journey back to Earth after collecting lunar samples