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Geological characteristics of Chang’E-6 landing area in micro-scale unveiled by new observation data

Author

Listed:
  • Wei Yan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xingguo Zeng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xin Ren

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Wangli Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xingye Gao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Wei Zuo

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Bin Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhoubin Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qiang Fu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jianjun Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chunlai Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Chang’E-6 mission successfully achieved humanity’s first sample return from the farside of the Moon. Here, we report a high-precision terrain dataset with millimeter-to-decimeter spatial resolution around the CE-6 landing site. Based on this dataset, the accurate location of the landing site is determined to be (153.9776° W, 41.6251° S, -5273 m), and a micro-scale geological analysis of the landing area is conducted. Comparative analysis suggests that the surface exposure time of Chang’ E-6 landing area is likely between that of Chang’E-4 and Chang’E-5 landing areas. Studies of the ejecta thickness from possible craters in mare and non-mare areas indicate that Chang’E-6 samples may contain materials from diverse provenances. Detailed topographic analysis reveals that the Chang’E-6 landing area is primarily covered by local mare materials, which were excavated from a nearby unnamed crater with a diameter of ~ 51 m and account for 30%–35% in volume.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Yan & Xingguo Zeng & Xin Ren & Wangli Chen & Xingye Gao & Wei Zuo & Bin Liu & Zhoubin Zhang & Qiang Fu & Jianjun Liu & Chunlai Li, 2025. "Geological characteristics of Chang’E-6 landing area in micro-scale unveiled by new observation data," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59443-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59443-5
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