Chang'e-6 Moon Mission Reveals Unexpected Resurgence in Magnetic Field Through Lunar Samples
Chang'e-6 moon samples reveal unexpected findings regarding the resurgence of the magnetic field.
TroibNews 
Rock samples from the moon's far side, gathered by China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe, have provided significant new insights into how the moon's magnetic field evolved.
A study published in Nature on Thursday shows that the moon's magnetic field had a surprising resurgence in strength 2.8 billion years ago, following a notable decline around 3.1 billion years ago. This finding challenges the established notion that the lunar dynamo remained in a low-energy state after its prior weakening.
This research marks the first time paleomagnetic data has been obtained from the moon's far side, offering new insights into the intermediate stages of the lunar dynamo, which is the geophysical process that generated the moon's magnetic field in the past.
On June 25, Chang'e-6 returned to Earth with 1,935.3 grams of samples from this previously unexplored region of the moon.
Researchers from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences analyzed four basalt fragments from the Chang'e-6 mission and identified an increase in paleomagnetic field strength. This indicates a potential reactivation of the lunar dynamo after its initial decline. The resurgence might have been driven by changes in the dynamo's energy sources or a revival of its driving forces.
A researcher hypothesized that the dynamo's resurgence could be linked to alterations in its primary energy sources or a reinvigoration of the initial driving forces, according to the study.
Satellite and lunar surface data show that the moon lacks a global dipole magnetic field. Previous studies of lunar samples have indicated that the moon's magnetic field, once akin to Earth's between 4.2 and 3.5 billion years ago, underwent two significant declines before it eventually ceased entirely sometime after 1 billion years ago.
However, uncertainties persist regarding the exact timeline, duration, and mechanisms influencing the moon's magnetic field, underscoring the gaps in the understanding of the moon's far side.
"Understanding the evolution of the lunar dynamo is of great significance for revealing the moon's internal structure, thermal history and surface environment," noted Cai Shuhui from the IGG, the corresponding author of the study.
A peer reviewer of the paper remarked that the team's "highly original results" fill a billion-year-long gap in the lunar paleomagnetic record and provide "the first paleomagnetic measurements from the lunar far side," representing "a major advance in our understanding of lunar magnetism."
These discoveries build on other significant findings from Chang'e-6. In November, a team from the IGG reported on volcanic events that occurred on the moon's far side 2.8 billion and 4.2 billion years ago, also published in Nature.
Additionally, research published in the journal Science confirmed that the low-titanium samples collected by Chang'e-6 are approximately 2.83 billion years old, further substantiating evidence of volcanic activity on the moon's far side.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
A study published in Nature on Thursday shows that the moon's magnetic field had a surprising resurgence in strength 2.8 billion years ago, following a notable decline around 3.1 billion years ago. This finding challenges the established notion that the lunar dynamo remained in a low-energy state after its prior weakening.
This research marks the first time paleomagnetic data has been obtained from the moon's far side, offering new insights into the intermediate stages of the lunar dynamo, which is the geophysical process that generated the moon's magnetic field in the past.
On June 25, Chang'e-6 returned to Earth with 1,935.3 grams of samples from this previously unexplored region of the moon.
Researchers from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences analyzed four basalt fragments from the Chang'e-6 mission and identified an increase in paleomagnetic field strength. This indicates a potential reactivation of the lunar dynamo after its initial decline. The resurgence might have been driven by changes in the dynamo's energy sources or a revival of its driving forces.
A researcher hypothesized that the dynamo's resurgence could be linked to alterations in its primary energy sources or a reinvigoration of the initial driving forces, according to the study.
Satellite and lunar surface data show that the moon lacks a global dipole magnetic field. Previous studies of lunar samples have indicated that the moon's magnetic field, once akin to Earth's between 4.2 and 3.5 billion years ago, underwent two significant declines before it eventually ceased entirely sometime after 1 billion years ago.
However, uncertainties persist regarding the exact timeline, duration, and mechanisms influencing the moon's magnetic field, underscoring the gaps in the understanding of the moon's far side.
"Understanding the evolution of the lunar dynamo is of great significance for revealing the moon's internal structure, thermal history and surface environment," noted Cai Shuhui from the IGG, the corresponding author of the study.
A peer reviewer of the paper remarked that the team's "highly original results" fill a billion-year-long gap in the lunar paleomagnetic record and provide "the first paleomagnetic measurements from the lunar far side," representing "a major advance in our understanding of lunar magnetism."
These discoveries build on other significant findings from Chang'e-6. In November, a team from the IGG reported on volcanic events that occurred on the moon's far side 2.8 billion and 4.2 billion years ago, also published in Nature.
Additionally, research published in the journal Science confirmed that the low-titanium samples collected by Chang'e-6 are approximately 2.83 billion years old, further substantiating evidence of volcanic activity on the moon's far side.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
