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

Wei Yan, Xingguo Zeng, Xin Ren (), Wangli Chen, Xingye Gao, Wei Zuo (), Bin Liu, Zhoubin Zhang, Qiang Fu, Jianjun Liu and Chunlai Li
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Wei Yan: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xingguo Zeng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xin Ren: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wangli Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xingye Gao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wei Zuo: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Bin Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhoubin Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qiang Fu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jianjun Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chunlai Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59443-5

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