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Chandrayaan-3 data hints at the presence of a magma ocean on the Moon’s surface in the past.
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The data suggests that the lunar soil consists of ferroan anorthosite (FAN), a type of rock that supports the lunar magma ocean theory.
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The findings also reveal the presence of magnesium in the lunar soil, which challenges the lunar magma ocean hypothesis.
ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has made a significant discovery, suggesting that a magma ocean once existed on the Moon’s surface. The data gathered by the Pragyan rover during its exploration of the lunar south pole indicates that the Moon’s crust has a uniform composition, irrespective of location. This supports the theory that the Moon’s early development involved the formation of a magma ocean, which later cooled and solidified to form the crust.
The study, published in Nature, reveals that the lunar soil consists of ferroan anorthosite (FAN), a type of rock that is consistent with the lunar magma ocean theory. However, the data also shows the presence of magnesium in the lunar soil, which challenges this hypothesis. Despite these contradictions, the authors argue that the consistent composition of the lunar soil and the broader geological context continue to support the magma ocean hypothesis.
As India celebrates National Space Day 2024, the Chandrayaan-3 mission marks a significant milestone in the country’s space exploration journey. The mission’s findings have shed new light on the Moon’s early development and composition, inspiring future generations to pursue careers in space science and technology.
