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CIAE obtains lunar soil samples

Updated: 2024-07-05
2024-07-05

The China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE), a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), recently obtained 200 milligram of lunar substances collected by Chang'e 5 robotic probe from the moon's far side. It is the only institution that has ever received official permission to conduct measurement of extremely low-abundance 60Fe.

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60Fe is a radioactive isotope primarily derived from supernova explosions, with a half-life of 2.6 million years. The samples obtained by CIAE come from the lunar surface and subsurface. They contain various interstellar media that have fallen down to the moon's surface from the space, will provide mankind with important clues to further understand cosmic events such as supernova explosions in millions of years ago on the earth.