Chinese lunar probe returns to Earth with world’s first samples from the far side of the moon

SUB: Science and tech

SEC: Space sector

Context:

China’s Chang’e 6 probe returned to Earth on June 25 with rock and soil samples from the little-explored far side of the moon.

More on news:

The probe landed in northern China on Tuesday afternoon in the Inner Mongolian region.
Chinese scientists anticipate the returned samples will include 2.5 million-year-old volcanic rock and other material that scientists hope will answer questions about geographic differences on the moon’s two sides.
While U.S. and Soviet missions have also collected samples from the moon’s near side, the Chinese mission was the first that has collected samples from the far side.

What is the Near side and Far side of the Moon?

The near side of the moon is what is seen from Earth, while the far side always faces outer space
The far side is also known to have mountains and impact craters, contrasting with the relatively flat expanses visible on the near side.
The probe left earth on May 3, and its journey lasted 53 days.
The probe has drilled into the core and scooped rocks from the surface.

About the samples collected:

The samples are expected to answer one of the most fundamental scientific questions in lunar science research: what geologic activity is responsible for the differences between the two sides.
China in recent years has launched multiple successful missions to the moon, collecting samples from the moon’s near side with the Chang’e 5 probe previously.
Scientists are also hoping that the probe will return with material that bears traces of meteorite strikes from the moon’s past.