Li Chen, Li Yang, Pang Ronghua, Xie Jiyang, Han Zixuan, Wen Yuanyun, Zeng Xiaojia, Wang Li, Qin Ziyan, Yang Jie, Hu Wanbiao, Liu Jianzhong, Li Xiongyao, Ma Wenhui
Center for Lunar and Planetary Sciences, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China.
School of Engineering, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.
Nat Commun. 2025 Mar 4;16(1):2155. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-57337-0.
Chang'E-6 lunar soil was the first sample collected on the lunar farside. It provides insights into impact history and thermodynamic evolution of the Moon. Here we show the discovered widespread oldhamite (CaS) in lunar regolith samples. Analysis of the microscopic composition and crystal structure showed that the oldhamite has a cubic structure and presence at the interface of glass and iron on the surface of the impact glass beads, suggesting a interface thermochemical reaction. Thermodynamic calculations show that the formation of chemical reactions requires a reducing atmosphere and high temperature to ensure reducing environment and high iron activity for promoting the interaction. Such environment suggests a potential large-scale, high-energy impact event with a S-rich asteroid or involving lunar S-rich mantle-core excavation. Oldhamite has never been observed in other lunar samples from near side. Our findings reveal a unique evolution history of the South Pole-Aitken basin, which is distinct from nearside.
嫦娥六号月球土壤是首次在月球背面采集的样本。它为月球的撞击历史和热力学演化提供了见解。在此我们展示了在月球风化层样本中发现的广泛存在的硫钙石（CaS）。对微观成分和晶体结构的分析表明，硫钙石具有立方结构，且存在于撞击玻璃珠表面的玻璃与铁的界面处，这表明存在界面热化学反应。热力学计算表明，化学反应的形成需要还原性气氛和高温，以确保还原环境和高铁活性来促进相互作用。这种环境表明可能发生了与富含硫的小行星的大规模、高能撞击事件，或者涉及挖掘月球富含硫的地幔 - 核心。在来自月球近侧的其他样本中从未观察到硫钙石。我们的发现揭示了南极 - 艾特肯盆地独特的演化历史，这与近侧不同。
