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First rocks returned from Moon’s far side reveal ancient volcanic activity

Scientists release the first analyses of samples from China’s Chang’e-6 mission.
By
  1. Davide Castelvecchi
Researchers stand next to the return capsule and hold the lunar sample container during the capsule-opening ceremony.

Researchers retrieve lunar samples from the Chang’e-6 return capsule. Credit: Xinhua/Shutterstock

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Researchers have had their first-ever look at samples brought back from the Moon’s far side — and the rocks detail a history of volcanic activity that spans billions of years.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-03778-4

References

  1. Cui, Z. et al. Science https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adt1093 (2024).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Zhang, Q. W. L. et al. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08382-0 (2024).

    Article  Google Scholar 

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