🌒 Space probe returns with samples from the far side of the moon - for the first time

• The Chang'e 6 probe has successfully retrieved rock and soil samples from the far side of the moon.
• The samples are expected to contain 2.5 million-year-old volcanic rock.
• This is the first time samples from the far side of the moon have been collected.

Unique samples from the moon's unknown side

The Chinese space probe Chang'e 6 has landed in Inner Mongolia in northern China after completing a sample collection from the far side of the moon, according to AP.

The samples brought back to Earth by Chang'e 6 are the first ever from the moon's far side. Scientists expect the material to include 2.5 million-year-old volcanic rock and other substances that could provide answers about the geological differences between the moon's near and far sides.

The probe landed in the South Pole-Aitken basin, an impact crater formed over four billion years ago. The samples likely come from different layers in the basin and may contain traces of various geological events throughout the moon's long history.

Scientists also hope the samples contain evidence of meteorite impacts from the moon's past, which could provide insights into the early days of the solar system.

The Chang'e 6 probe left Earth on May 3, and the journey lasted 53 days. During the mission, the probe drilled into the moon's core and collected rocks from the surface.

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