First detailed map of moon’s south pole made from Chandrayaan data
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)
| Topic: GS3 – Science and Technology |
| Context |
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Confirmation of Lunar Magma
- Data from the Pragyan rover confirmed that the moon has an underground ocean of molten rock, also known as primordial magma.
- Previous missions had suggested the presence of magma beneath the moon’s surface, but their landing sites were near the equator and mid-latitude regions, far from the poles.
- Chandrayaan-3’s landing in a high-latitude region provided critical evidence that the ancient ocean of molten lava extended across the entire moon.
Geological Insights from the Map
- The geological map reveals an undulating landscape with highlands and low, flat plains.
- Scientists identified Schomberger crater as the primary source of debris covering the landing zone.
- By analyzing the crater formations, they estimated the region’s age to be about 3.7 billion years.
Earth-Moon Connection
- The moon and earth have similar evolutionary histories.
- Scientists believe that around 4.5 billion years ago, a massive planetary rock collided with the young earth, leading to the formation of the moon.
- The geochemical similarities between the earth and moon further support this theory.
Importance of Lunar Craters
- The South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the oldest and largest craters in the Solar System, is near the Vikram lander’s touchdown site.
- Lunar craters help scientists study impact craters on earth and other inner planets.
- Since the moon has no atmosphere, its craters remain well-preserved for millions of years.
Concerns About Lunar Exploration
- Since 1959, multiple missions have left debris on the moon’s surface, leading to concerns about environmental contamination.
- Scientists worry that landers, rovers, and human activities may disturb the regolith and alter the moon’s exosphere.
- Exhaust fumes from lunar landers could contaminate lunar ice, affecting research on water reserves.
- As lunar colonization and resource mining increase, these issues may become more significant.
| Practice Question: Discuss the significance of Chandrayaan-3’s findings in understanding the moon’s geological history and its implications for future lunar exploration. (150 Words /10 marks) |
