New Discovery on the Moon by India’s Chandrayaan-3 Probe
India’s lunar module, Chandrayaan-3, has made a groundbreaking discovery on the Moon. It has detected possible seismic movements, a phenomenon that has not been observed since the 1970s. These findings could provide crucial insights into the lunar interior. The Indian Space Agency (ISRO) shared the details on their website.
Ever since ISRO reached the Moon, it has been making numerous observations. On August 25, 2023, the Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) in the Vikram module detected movement of the rover Pragyan on the surface. However, on August 26, it recorded an event that appears to be of natural origin, similar to an earthquake. Further investigation is still underway.
Importance
The most reliable seismic information about the Moon so far comes from the Apollo program in the 1960s and 1970s. If these data from Chandrayaan-3 are confirmed to be natural seismic activity, it would unveil fundamental secrets about the Moon’s internal structure. Scientists have been eagerly waiting for additional data in this area.
The ILSA is the first device on the Moon equipped with Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology. ISRO explained that ILSA detects ground vibrations caused by earthquakes, impacts, or events generated by human activity.
In addition to these discoveries, ISRO has identified crucial features at the lunar south pole, including sulfur, aluminum, iron, calcium, chromium, and titanium. The agency has also reported the presence of traces of manganese, silicon, and oxygen. Extensive research is currently underway to confirm the possible presence of hydrogen.
However, both the Vikram module and the Pragyan rover are currently on an operational pause. They are located in the night zone of the Moon, where the night lasts for 14 days. Unable to charge their batteries due to the lack of sunlight, they are in a “rest” period in the dark. Both are scheduled to reactivate on September 22 and continue exploring the fascinating region of the lunar south pole.
