On August 23, 2023, India achieved a historic milestone as ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 successfully touched down on the Moon’s south pole, marking a global first. In the ensuing ten days, the mission’s robotic rover, Pragyaan, delved into the lunar terrain, unearthing intriguing and previously undisclosed facts about our celestial neighbor.
Here are four notable revelations from ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, as outlined by Nature, drawing widespread attention from the global scientific community:
Ionosphere Revelations:
Chandrayaan-3’s lander, Vikram, conducted an in-depth analysis of the Moon’s ionosphere—an upper atmospheric zone where sunlight ionizes atoms and molecules. It quantified the density and temperature within this region, unveiling concentrations of ions and electrons ranging from 5 to 30 million per cubic meter. This density experiences fluctuations during the lunar day, an insight shared by an ISRO scientist with Nature. The lower electron density in the Moon’s ionosphere facilitates swifter transmission of radio signals—an essential factor for future human lunar habitation.
Insights into Lunar Soil Characteristics
Vikram’s assessments extended to the properties of lunar soil, encompassing temperature and conductivity. These measurements are pivotal for devising plans for future lunar settlements. Equipped with a 10-centimeter drill, the lander registered temperatures 8 centimeters below the surface, markedly cooler by approximately 60 degrees Celsius compared to the surface temperature. It was also discerned that the Moon’s surface was notably warmer than previously documented by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2009.
Detection of Moonquakes
The lander featured a seismograph capable of detecting subtle seismic activities. It recorded a brief seismic event lasting about 4 seconds, believed to be a minor “moonquake” or a consequence of a small meteorite impact. Such occurrences are anticipated on the Moon due to minor impacts and localized tectonic adjustments.
Confirmation of Sulphur Presence on the Moon
Among Vikram rover’s most pivotal findings is the confirmation of sulphur’s existence on the Moon, particularly in proximity to the South Pole. The rover also identified elements such as aluminium, silicon, calcium, and iron on the lunar surface. The presence of sulphur carries significance as it imparts invaluable insights into the Moon’s origin. It’s plausible that sulphur resulted from impacts by asteroids on the lunar surface. Alternatively, it might be attributed to the presence of hot molten rock that later crystallized on the Moon’s surface. These revelations contribute to a heightened understanding of the Moon’s geochemistry, complementing data from the US Apollo missions.
