Rare CI Meteorites Discovered on Far Side of the Moon

A Chinese robotic mission, Chang’e-6, has discovered traces of rare CI-type meteorites on the far side of the Moon. These meteorites are rich in water and volatile elements.

The discovery suggests that water-rich asteroids impacted the Earth and Moon more frequently than previously thought. The Chang’e-6 mission returned with 1.8 kg of lunar rocks from the region near the Moon's south pole.

Scientists analyzed over 5,000 microscopic fragments and identified seven small grains with traces of melting, indicating that the asteroid material melted upon impact and cooled quickly. It is believed that much of the water on the Moon and Earth originated from these impacts.

The study was published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.