Chandrayaan-3 Data shows 60°C temp difference on Moon, potential for subsurface habitats
Based on data from the ChaSTE payload on the Chandrayaan-3 lander, an yet-to-published research found an enormous temperature difference of approximately 60 degrees Celsius between the lunar surface and barely 10 centimeters within it. According to a senior scientist of the Indian Space and Research Organization (Isro), the extreme heat non-conductivity of the lunar surface may make it possible to build temperature-controlled dwellings beneath it.
Researchers are examining whether long-term habitation on Earth's satellite is feasible as well as whether the moon can function as a base for deep space travel.
The lander of the Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) was equipped with a thermometer that was inserted 10 cm into the lunar regolith, which is composed of mineral pieces, rock chips, and lunar soil. Ten sensors, spaced one centimeter apart, were used by the device to measure the temperature in this layer at various points.
Ten sensors are mounted on it to record the temperature over a ten-day period at various depths. As the sun moved across the area, we could see how the temperature varied at different depths, the Isro scientist stated.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission was designed to allow all of the experiments to run for almost the whole time; one lunar day is equal to fourteen Earth days.
A live thermal conductivity test was conducted ten days later. "A heater was positioned at a depth of roughly 8 cm on the eighth sensor. After 10 days, we switched on the heater to observe how the regolith absorbed the heat. The sensors recorded the drop in temperature after the heater was turned on for four hours and then turned off. The scientist stated, "That gave us the first information about the actual thermal conductivity of the moon," and that the report would be published shortly.
The experiment demonstrated that the moon's surface was entirely non-conductive, according to the experts. "I can utilize it as a heat blanket for a human habitat if it is non-conducting. The scientist compared it to using a blanket on cold winter evenings. "Any heat generated inside will remain trapped, even though the outside temperature may be low," the scientist added. The stark temperature difference, which can range from 121 degrees Celsius during the day to -133 degrees Celsius at night, is one of the difficulties faced by lunar missions. Temperatures as low as -246 degrees Celsius have also been recorded in deep craters.
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French President Macron concludes Mumbai visit
Mumbai (PTI): French President Emmanuel Macron, along with First Lady Brigitte Macron, left Mumbai for New Delhi on Wednesday after concluding his engagements here, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They were seen off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
On Tuesday, Macron held discussions with Modi as part of efforts to further strengthen India-France strategic ties.
During the Mumbai visit, the French president and his wife also met some of India's top filmmakers and actors, and had an animated exchange with them about cinema, culture and collaboration.
President Macron is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of PM Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India in the national capital Delhi, besides the bilateral summit in Mumbai.
PM Modi will inaugurate the summit on February 19. As many as 20 heads of states, including French President Macron, will be present at the inaugural session, Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said.
