The moon in the sky seen from Singapore. Photo: THX/TTXVN

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 future scientists to study them using technologies that were not available at the time.

In a study published in the journal "JGR: Planets," Brown University scientists reported the discovery of a unique sulfur isotope in samples from the Taurus-Littrow region of the Moon. Analysis showed that volcanic material in the samples contained sulfur compounds significantly depleted in sulfur-33, one of four stable isotopes of sulfur. This isotope ratio does not match any sample ever 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 similar, sulfur isotopes were previously expected to be similar—until this discovery.

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

According to baotintuc.vn

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/khoa-hoc-cong-nghe/phat-hien-moi-ve-mat-trang-thong-qua-phan-tych-mau-vat-thu-thap-cach-day-hon-50-nam-158612.html