China’s Chang’e-6 Mission Discovers Iron Oxide Crystals on the Moon

China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission has made a major scientific discovery by detecting tiny iron oxide crystals in the Moon’s soil. This finding challenges the long-held belief that the Moon’s surface cannot host oxidised minerals because of its highly reducing chemical environment.

China’s Chang’e-6 Mission Discovers Iron Oxide Crystals on the Moon

First Evidence of Oxidised Minerals on the Moon

Scientists studying the lunar samples from the South Pole–Aitken Basin identified micrometre-sized hematite and maghemite particles. These minerals form in oxygen-rich conditions and were earlier thought to be unlikely on the Moon, making this discovery highly significant for lunar chemistry research.

Link to Ancient Impact Events

Researchers believe that ancient massive impacts on the Moon may have created temporary oxygen-rich vapour atmospheres. As these vapours cooled, they produced fine hematite crystals through a process known as vapour-phase deposition.

The study also detected traces of magnetite and maghemite, which may help in explaining magnetic anomalies observed across the South Pole–Aitken region.

Insights into Lunar Evolution

This breakthrough changes scientific understanding of how the Moon evolved chemically over billions of years. It also provides valuable information for future lunar missions, such as choosing landing sites and planning sampling strategies for deeper geological research.

Importance of the South Pole–Aitken Basin Samples

The South Pole–Aitken Basin is the oldest and largest known impact basin in the Solar System. Samples collected by Chang’e-6 offer access to deeper lunar layers that were not reachable before, helping scientists study ancient geological processes and the Moon’s long-term response to massive impact events.

Exam-Oriented Key Facts

• Hematite and maghemite crystals were discovered in Chang’e-6 samples.
• Samples came from the South Pole–Aitken Basin, the largest and oldest known impact zone in the Solar System.
• Oxidation likely occurred due to oxygen-rich vapours from ancient impacts.
• Chang’e-6 returned deep-lunar samples in 2024.
• Findings help understand magnetic anomalies on the Moon’s crust.

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Question & Answer

Q1. Chang’e-6 mission discovered which oxidised minerals in lunar soil?
(a) Quartz and feldspar
(b) Hematite and maghemite
(c) Copper and zinc oxides
(d) Magnetite only
Answer: Hematite and maghemite

Q2. From which lunar region were the samples collected for this discovery?
(a) Sea of Tranquility
(b) Tycho Crater
(c) South Pole–Aitken Basin
(d) Oceanus Procellarum
Answer: South Pole–Aitken Basin

Q3. The South Pole–Aitken Basin is known as:
(a) The youngest impact crater on the Moon
(b) The oldest and largest impact zone in the Solar System
(c) A volcanic plain on Mars
(d) A frozen water reservoir on Mercury
Answer: The oldest and largest impact zone in the Solar System

Q4. The iron oxide crystals on the Moon are believed to have formed due to:
(a) Solar wind erosion
(b) Vapour-phase deposition from oxygen-rich impact vapours
(c) Movement of underground rivers
(d) Volcanic eruptions
Answer: Vapour-phase deposition from oxygen-rich impact vapours

Q5. In which year did Chang’e-6 return samples to Earth?
(a) 2022
(b) 2023
(c) 2024
(d) 2025
Answer: 2024

Q6. Which organisation is behind the Chang’e-6 mission?
(a) NASA
(b) ISRO
(c) CNSA
(d) ESA
Answer: CNSA (China National Space Administration)

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