Jan 11 2022: China's Chang'e-5 probe finds on-site evidence of water on the Moon's surface

Back in January 11 2022: China's Chang'e-5 probe finds on-site evidence of water on the Moon's surface

Chinese researchers have discovered on-site evidence of water on the Moon's surface using the Chang’e-5 lunar lander. This historic find, detailed in Science Advances, reveals that the Moon's soil contains water molecules or hydroxyl at less than 120 parts per million.

The study suggests that these molecules likely originated from the solar wind, a process previously underestimated due to the belief that the Moon's lack of atmosphere made it completely dry.

Fast forward to July 12 2023: An enormous—and unexpected—lump of granite has been found on the Moon

Scientists have discovered a granite batholith on the far side of the Moon, indicating previously unrecognized geological activity. The batholith, identified using microwave emissions data from Chinese satellites Chang'e 1 and 2, sheds light on the Moon's history and suggests new methods for studying the crusts of other celestial bodies.

This discovery is remarkable since the formation of granite requires multiple cycles of rock distillation, a process not easily explained on the Moon, which lacks tectonic plates. The findings were published in the journal Nature.

Could the discovery of a granite batholith on the Moon's far side open doors to unseen methods of exploring celestial bodies?