China's Chang'e 5 lunar probe finds first on-site evidence of water on moon's surface
Beijing, Jan 9: China's Chang'e 5 lunar lander has found the first-ever on-site evidence of water on the surface of the moon, lending new evidence to the dryness of the satellite.
The study published on Saturday in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances revealed that the lunar soil at the landing site contains less than 120 parts-per-million (ppm) water or 120 grams water per ton, and a light, vesicular rock carries 180 ppm, which are much drier than that on Earth.
The presence of water had been confirmed by remote observation but the lander has now detected signs of water in rocks and soil.
A device on-board the lunar lander measured the spectral reflectance of the regolith and the rock and detected water on the spot for the first time.
The water content can be estimated since the water molecule or hydroxyl absorbs at a frequency of about three micrometers, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported, citing researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
It was the solar wind that contributed to the most humidity of lunar soil as it brought hydrogen that makes up the water, the researchers said.
The additional 60 ppm water in the rock may originate from the lunar interior, according to the researchers.
Therefore, the rock is estimated to hail from an older, more humid basaltic unit before being ejected onto the landing site to be picked up by the lunar lander.
The study revealed that the moon had turned drier within a certain period, owing probably to the degassing of its mantle reservoir.
The Chang'e-5 spacecraft landed on one of the youngest mare basalts located at a mid-high latitude on the moon. It measured water on the spot and retrieved samples weighing 1,731 grams.
"The returned samples are a mixture of granules both on the surface and beneath. But an in-situ probe can measure the outermost layer of the lunar surface," Lin Honglei, a researcher with the Institute of Geology and Geophysics under CAS, told Xinhua.
Lin also said that to simulate authentic lunar surface conditions on Earth is challenging, thus making the in-situ measurement so essential.
The results are consistent with a preliminary analysis of the returned Chang'e-5 samples, according to the study.
The findings provide more clues to China's Chang'e-6 and Chang'e-7 missions. The investigations of lunar water reserves come into the limelight as the building of manned lunar stations are in the pipeline in the next decades, the report said.
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Mangaluru: Eight arrested in Suhas Shetty murder case
Mangaluru: The Mangaluru police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the murder of rowdy-sheeter and Hindu activist Suhas Shetty, who was killed on Thursday night near Bajpe. Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the arrests during a press conference held at the Mangaluru Police Commissioner’s office on Friday.
Speaking to the media, the Home Minister said that the investigation is in full swing and eight accused have been taken into custody. “No person from any community will be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Strict action will be taken against all those involved,” he stated. Parameshwara also conducted a review meeting with senior police officials to assess the law and order situation in the region, following tensions in parts of Dakshina Kannada district after the murder.
According to police sources, the arrested accused have been identified as follows:
Abdul Safwan, aged 29, son of Abdul Nasir, is a resident of Shantigudde in Pejavara village, Mangaluru. He was staying in a rented house on Mahakali Temple Road in Bajpe and works as a driver.
Niyaz, aged 28, son of Aboobakker, is from near Shantigudde Mosque in Bajpe. He also stays near Mahakali Temple in Kinnipadavu, Bajpe and works as a mason’s helper.
Mohammad Muzammil, aged 32, son of Abdul Razak, lives in Kenjaru, Bajpe. He worked as a salesman in Saudi Arabia and returned to India four months ago. He got married recently to a woman from Pakshikere. He has a past criminal record with a case registered against him at Panambur Police Station in 2016 under Section 392 of the Indian Penal Code.
Khalandar Shafi, aged 31, son of Mohammad, hails from Kalavaru in Mangaluru. He works as a salesman in Bengaluru and has a case registered against him at Suratkal Police Station in 2023 under the NDPS Act.
Ranjith, aged 19, son of Rajesh, is from Rudrapada in Kalasa taluk, Chikkamagaluru district. He belongs to the Adi Karnataka (Scheduled Caste) community and works as a driver.
Nagaraj, aged 20, son of Mari Muthu, is a resident of Mavinakere village in Chikkamagaluru. He belongs to the Vokkaliga Gowda community and works in a shamiyana (tent house) business.
Mohammad Rizwan, aged 28, son of Abdul Majeed, resides near Eidgah Mosque in Jokatte, Mangaluru. He works in an oil plant shutdown operation in Saudi Arabia.
The eighth accused is Adil Meharuf from Bajpe. Further details regarding his involvement have not been disclosed yet.
Following the murder, the police launched an operation and recovered the vehicle used in the crime. Based on CCTV footage and other evidence, they were able to identify and arrest the suspects.
The murder of Suhas Shetty has led to tension and protests in the region. Security has been heightened, with additional police forces deployed to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incidents.
