Overview
- A Chinese Academy of Sciences team led by Heng‑Ci Tian analyzed four tiny basalt fragments from Chang'e‑6 and found far‑side material enriched in heavier potassium isotopes with slightly heavier iron.
- The results contrast with Apollo and Chang'e‑5 near‑side basalts, which contain comparatively lighter isotopes of potassium and iron.
- Researchers interpret the heavier potassium as evidence that an extreme heating event during the South Pole‑Aitken basin formation drove off lighter isotopes and other volatiles.
- The inferred volatile loss could have stiffened the far‑side mantle and reduced magma generation, offering a mechanism for the Moon's long‑noted near‑ versus far‑side volcanic contrast.
- Based on only microscopic grains from one location, the PNAS study calls for additional far‑side samples and independent analyses to test how widespread this signature is.