BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Brad Klein reviews the week’s astronomical highlights with Bethlehem’s ‘Backyard Astronomy Guy,’ Marty McGuire.
This week, they present an update on China’s audacious mission to visit the far side of the moon, gather rock and soil samples, and return them to Earth.
The landing location created significant technical challenges, but also potentially great rewards.
“China’s Chang’e-6 lander arrived on June 1st on the far side of the moon in the South pole area called the Aitken basin,” said McGuire. “ … and it's probably the largest impact crater in the entire solar system on any planet or moon.”
The samples could provide insights into the early history and geology of the moon.
As of now, the samples have rejoined China’s lunar orbiter, and are on their way back to Earth. McGuire says they are expected to arrive at a landing site in Inner Mongolia around June 25, 2024.