Sensation on the Moon. You’ll Never Guess What They Found There
Chinese scientists, while analyzing samples brought back from the Moon, came across an interesting find. This substance has never been observed in the natural environment before.
Graphene on the Moon – Humanity’s Invention Occurs Naturally in Space
In lunar samples brought back by the Chang’e-5 probe, Chinese scientists have discovered for the first time naturally occurring graphene in several layers. The scientists also noted that the crystallization quality of graphitic carbon in the samples is relatively high. They believe that the formation of several layers of graphene and graphitic carbon may originate from mineral catalytic processes induced together by the solar wind and early volcanic eruptions on the Moon.
Graphene could be common
According to researchers from Jilin University, about 1.9 percent of total interstellar carbon exists in the form of graphene. Its morphology and properties are determined by the specific formation process. Carbonaceous areas of the lunar soil also contain iron compounds, which, according to scientists, are closely related to the formation of graphene.
The Chang’e-5 mission brought back a total of 1,731 kilograms of lunar samples in December 2020. These were the first samples obtained from the younger region of the lunar surface, which contains volcanic rocks. They are also the first samples of celestial bodies brought to Earth by Chinese scientists.
The discovery of naturally occurring graphene is not only a breakthrough in space research, but also opens up new possibilities for exploiting resources on the Moon.
