Indian lunar mission records unusual vibrations in Moon's south polar region.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is currently analyzing data from the Chandrayaan 3 mission after the Vikram lander’s Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) recorded potential seismic activity in the Moon’s south polar region. Since its lunar arrival on August 23, ILSA has logged several vibrations, most of which are tied to the movements of the Pragyan rover and other payloads. However, an unexpected natural event detected on August 26, 2023, stands out and is the subject of ISRO’s ongoing investigation.
Moonquakes: A Deep Lunar Phenomenon
Moonquakes are seismic events that have their origins deep inside the Moon, usually ranging between 600 to 1,000 kilometers. As per records, approximately 3,000 such events occur annually. Experts categorize moonquakes into three primary types: those induced by meteorite impacts, naturally occurring ones, and those that are artificially induced.
Lunar Plasma Measurements Yield Insights
In another development, the Langmuir probe payload (RAMBHA-LP) aboard the Vikram lander has provided the first-ever measurements of the near-surface lunar plasma environment in the south polar region. Early analysis indicates a relatively low density of plasma near the lunar surface. These findings not only offer potential solutions to combat lunar plasma-related interference in radio wave communications but also present valuable insights for the design of upcoming lunar missions, as per an ISRO report.
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