China's Chang'e-6 sheds first light on evolution history of moon's far side

China

China's Chang'e-6 sheds first light on evolution history of moon's far side

2025-07-10 10:04 Last Updated At：17:57

A series of research findings by Chinese scientists on the samples collected by the Chang'e-6 mission from the moon's far side were released on Wednesday in Beijing at a press conference hosted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), shedding the first light on the evolutionary history of the moon's dark side.

In 2024, Chang'e-6 made history by bringing 1,935.3 grams of lunar far-side samples back to Earth. These samples were collected from the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin, the largest, deepest and oldest basin on the moon, providing a rare opportunity to clarify the compositional differences between the near and far sides of the moon.

They found the evidence of volcanic activity on the moon's far side approximately 4.2 billion and 2.8 billion years ago, indicating such activity had persisted for at least 1.4 billion years.

For the first time, scientists obtained the ancient magnetic field information from the far side of the moon, revealing a possible rebound in the moon's magnetic field intensity around 2.8 billion years ago. This discovery indicates the presence of fluctuations in the driven power of the lunar dynamo.

Scientists have found that the water content in the lunar far-side mantle is significantly lower than that of the near side, indicating a significant difference in water distribution between the two hemispheres.

The researchers have also found for the first time that the mantle source of basalt from the SPA basin is extremely depleted in incompatible elements, underscoring the profound influence of large impacts on the evolution of the moon's deep interior.

Scientists said the SPA Basin is one of the moon's three major tectonic units, measuring approximately 2,500 kilometers in diameter. The energy from the impact that formed this crater is estimated to be 1 trillion times greater than that of an atomic bomb explosion.

Experts also said the exact influence of such a massive collision on the moon's evolution has remained an unsolved mystery.

The four papers published in Nature systematically reveal, for the first time, the effects of this colossal impact, which is the core highlight of these findings.

UN chief issues New Year's call to world leaders for peace, development

In his new year's call to world leaders, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged world leaders to get "priorities straight" and invest in development, not destruction.

"As we enter the new year, the world stands at a crossroads. Chaos and uncertainty surround us. Division. Violence. Climate breakdown. And systemic violations of international law. A retreat from the very principles that bind us together as a human family. People everywhere are asking: Are leaders even listening? Are they ready to act?" Guterres said in his New Year message for 2026.

The scale of global suffering remains severe. More than one-quarter of humanity lives in conflict-affected areas, over 200 million people require humanitarian assistance, and nearly 120 million have been forcibly displaced by war, crises, disasters or persecution, according to UN statistics.

"As we turn the page on a turbulent year, one fact speaks louder than words: Global military spending has soared to 2.7 trillion dollars, growing by almost 10 percent. That is thirteen times more than all development aid, equivalent to the entire Gross Domestic Product of Africa. All, while conflict rages at levels unseen since World War II. On this new year, let's resolve to get our priorities straight. A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars," said the UN chief.

A UN report released in September 2025 showed that rising military spending comes at a high opportunity cost, noting that less than 4 percent of current global military expenditure could end world hunger by 2030, just over 10 percent could vaccinate every child worldwide, and reallocating 15 percent would be sufficient to cover annual climate adaptation costs in developing countries.

"Peace must prevail. It's clear the world has the resources to lift lives, heal the planet, and secure a future of peace and justice. In 2026, I call on leaders everywhere: Get serious. Choose people and planet over pain. And I urge everyone who hears this message: Play your part. Our future depends on our collective courage to act. This new year, let‘’s rise together: For justice. For humanity. For peace," he said.