Exotic clasts in Chang'e-5 samples indicate unexplored terrane on moon

The Mons Rmker region of the northern Oceanus Procellarum was the location of the Chang'e-5 mission.

Critical information about the regolith gardening process in the young mare region of the moon is provided by recognizing exotic clasts.

There are seven exotic clasts in Chang'e-5 samples from more than 3000 samples.

Nature Astronomy published this work on December 22nd.

The seven exotic clasts are listed.

• A high-Ti vitrophyric fragment
• A low-Ti basalt
• An olivine-pyroxenite
• A magnesian anorthosite
• An evolved lithology
• A Mg-rich olivine fragment
• A pyroclastic glass bead

The Chang'e-5 mare unit is over 50 km away from the exotic clasts.

Three exotic igneous clasts in the Chang'e-5 regolith were found to have unique features.

A new type of lunar basalt may have been represented by the high-Tiphyric fragment.

Evidence shows that magnesian anorthosite is an important component of the near-side lunar crust.

There is a volcanic eruption on the moon.

The basalt unit of the moon was the subject of this study. The provenance of regolith at the young mare unit of the moon can be modeled using this information.

The identification of unusual lunar rocks in the Chang'e-5 sample shows that the lunar crust is more varied than previously thought.

There are unknown geological units on the moon which may help in planning future lunar exploration missions.

There are exotic clasts in Chang'e-5 regolith indicative of unexplored terrane on the moon.

Journal information: Nature Astronomy