Weekly - China launches Chang'e-6 lunar mission and more
Weekly Space News - Quick and Easy
China launches Chang'e-6 lunar mission
Last week, China successfully completed the launch of its Chang'e-6 mission to the moon. This mission’s main objective is to land a lander on the lunar surface, collect soil samples and return these samples to the Earth. The mission will be attempting to land near the south pole on the far side of the moon (The portion that always faces away from the Earth). The mission will also be carrying a Pakistani-built lunar orbiter, making this Pakistan’s first-ever lunar mission. The mission is scheduled to reach the moon by early June.
Chandrayaan-2 discoveres evidence of large amounts of water ice on moon
Recently, ISRO discovered strong evidence suggesting a large amount of water ice (much more than previously expected) at the moon’s poles using the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter. A study that was published stated that the amount of ice beneath the polar surface is nearly 5 to 8 times more than that on the surface. It also revealed that the extent of water ice on the lunar north pole is nearly twice than that of the south pole.
JWST studies strange climate of exoplanet
Recently, an international team of researchers used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to study the climate of a hot gas-giant exoplanet WASP-43 b. This exoplanet, is in very close proximity to its star, resulting in one side of the planet always facing its star. This means there is always daylight on one side and constant darkness and thick clouds on the other. This research showcases the advanced capabilities of the James Webb telescope in studying distant celestial bodies and their atmospheres.
