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Writer's pictureRakshita Pareek

Chandrayaan 3's Lunar Discovery: Unveiling the Secrets of the Moon's South Pole

In the realm of space exploration, Chandrayaan 3, India's lunar mission, has already begun to make its mark with remarkable findings within a week of its historic soft landing on the moon's south pole. From confirming the presence of multiple elements on the lunar surface to unveiling intriguing temperature variations, Chandrayaan 3's journey is unveiling new insights about our celestial neighbor.



Elemental Revelations: A Lunar Composition Chart

Shortly after its successful landing on August 23, Chandrayaan 3 embarked on a series of scientific experiments that have already yielded valuable insights. One of its most significant findings is the confirmation of several elements on the lunar surface near the south pole. These elements include sulphur, aluminium, calcium, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese, oxygen, and silicon. Isro released a chart showcasing the presence of these elements at various ranges corresponding to their wavelengths, painting a clearer picture of the moon's composition.


First-of-its-kind South Pole Exploration

Chandrayaan 3's exploration at the moon's south pole is unprecedented in the history of lunar missions. Other countries have never soft-landed on this region. The choice of the south pole is strategic as it receives less illumination from the sun and holds potential for future human colonization. Isro Chief S Somnath highlighted this significance, emphasizing the scientific importance of studying this lesser-explored part of the lunar landscape.


The Elements Discovered: Implications for Water Search

Chandrayaan 3's discovery of elements such as aluminium, sulphur, calcium, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese, silicon, and oxygen holds profound implications. One crucial element that Chandrayaan 3 is hunting for is hydrogen, which, if found, could pave the way for a significant advancement in the search for water on the moon. The presence of these elements in the lunar soil could provide vital clues about the moon's history and evolution.


Encounter with Lunar Craters

As Chandrayaan 3's rover, Pragyan, roamed the moon's surface for scientific experiments, it encountered a 4-meter diameter crater situated just 3 meters ahead of its location. This unexpected discovery prompted a redirection of Pragyan's path. Such craters are abundant in the lunar south pole region and offer valuable insights into the moon's geological features.


Unveiling Lunar Temperature Variations

Chandrayaan 3's exploration also involved measuring the temperature of the lunar soil. The readings revealed fascinating temperature variations. The lunar surface temperature ranged from around minus 10 degrees Celsius at a depth of 80 mm below the ground to approximately 70 degrees Celsius above the ground. These temperature insights help scientists understand the moon's thermal characteristics and its interaction with its environment.


Chandrayaan 3's remarkable progress within a week of its soft landing is a testament to India's prowess in space exploration. The findings of confirmed lunar elements, unexpected crater encounters, and intriguing temperature variations offer a glimpse into the moon's complex nature. As Chandrayaan 3 continues to unveil the moon's secrets, it is shaping our understanding of our celestial neighbor and advancing our quest for knowledge beyond our planet's boundaries.

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