In a significant achievement for India’s space agency, it has collected groundbreaking scientific data from the previously uncharted South Polar region of the Moon.
The Vikram lander’s thermal probe has successfully documented temperature fluctuations across the lunar surface, spanning its top layer, immediate vicinity, and deeper layers. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) explained that the ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment) initiative aims to unravel the thermal dynamics of the Moon’s surface by assessing temperature profiles of the lunar topsoil near the pole.
“It has a temperature probe equipped with a controlled penetration mechanism capable of reaching a depth of 10 cm beneath the surface. The probe is fitted with 10 individual temperature sensors,” it added.
Due to the absence of an atmosphere, the lunar surface experiences extreme temperature fluctuations. The ISRO depicted these variations through a graphical representation.
“The presented graph illustrates the temperature variations of the lunar surface/near-surface at various depths, as recorded during the probe’s penetration. This is the first such profile for the lunar south pole. Detailed observations are underway,” said ISRO.
According to ISRO scientist BHM Darukesha, the recorded temperature was unexpectedly higher than initially anticipated. “We believed the temperature could be somewhere around 20-30 degrees centigrade on the surface but it is 70 degrees,” he told PTI, referring to the graph.
Minister of Science Jitendra Singh stated that the Chandrayaan-3 mission is anticipated to provide data regarding the Moon’s atmosphere, soil composition, and minerals. This information could potentially constitute a groundbreaking contribution to the global scientific community, possibly being the first of its kind.
“The low density and high thermal insulation of the regolith (Moon’s layer of rocks) enhances its potential as a basic building block for future habitats while the assessment of the wide range of temperature variations are crucial for survivability,” the minister added.
ChaSTE, a crucial device integrated into the Vikram Lander, is outfitted with 10 precision thermal sensors. These sensors are designed to penetrate the lunar topsoil and analyze fluctuations in temperature. This marks the inaugural endeavour aimed at examining the thermophysical characteristics of the uppermost 10 cm layer of the lunar surface.
The surface of the Moon experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout its day and night cycle. Minimum temperatures plummet to less than 100 degrees Celsius during lunar nights, while maximum temperatures surge beyond 100 degrees Celsius around noontime.
