New discovery about the Moon through samples collected more than 50 years ago

By analyzing lunar samples collected in 1972, scientists have identified a unique form of sulfur that could provide new clues about the Moon's origin.

A group of scientists from Brown University (Rhode Island, USA) have made new discoveries related to the Moon.

By analyzing lunar samples that have been sealed since the Apollo 17 astronauts collected them in 1972, scientists have identified a unique form of sulfur that could provide new clues about the Moon's origins.

NASA's Apollo 17 mission in 1972 marked the last manned landing on the Moon.

Upon returning to Earth, the crew sealed and preserved some of the collected samples, allowing later scientists to study them using technologies that were unavailable at the time.

In a study published in the journal "JGR: Planets," Brown University scientists report the discovery of a unique sulfur isotope in samples taken from the Taurus-Littrow region of the Moon.

Analysis showed that the volcanic material in these samples contained sulfur compounds that were significantly depleted in sulfur-33, one of four stable isotopes of sulfur. This isotope ratio does not match any sample previously found on Earth.

Isotope ratios act as “chemical fingerprints” that help scientists trace the origins of elements and determine whether rocks share a common source.

While oxygen isotopes on Earth and the Moon have long been shown to be similar, sulfur isotopes were previously expected to be similar as well—until this discovery.

According to expert James Dottin, the lead author of the study, it was previously thought that the Moon's mantle had a sulfur isotopic composition similar to Earth's, but this study shows values ​​that are very different from anything on Earth./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/phat-hien-moi-ve-mat-trang-thong-qua-mau-vat-thu-thap-cach-day-hon-50-nam-post1069038.vnp