In a triumphant stride for lunar science, the Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer (CLASS) has made a significant detection. This instrument aboard Chandrayaan-2 recently identified charged particles contained in the moon’s soil during the orbiter’s transit through a region called the “Geotail”.
The charged particles identified by the CLASS are believed to be chiefly electrons. Remarkably, these kins of particles were found to fluctuate in intensity up to ten times compared to their levels outside the Geotail, as per the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Why The Detection Matters
This discovery has implications that extend far beyond our understanding of the moon alone. Detecting the charged particles on the moon can aid in comprehending the complex relations they have with magnetic fields. It also opens up new avenues to gauge fluxes, energy spectra, and types of charges in particles bombarding surfaces on the moon.
Furthermore, it presents an opportunity to probe how these particles interact with other forms of radiation on the lunar surface.
Understanding The Geotail Region
The existence of the Geotail region is the outcome of interactions between the Earth and the Sun. The sun emits a never-ending stream of charged particles known as solar wind. These particles are embedded within the extended magnetic field of the Sun.
As the Earth has its own magnetic field, it interferes with the flow of the solar wind plasma. Such interference manifests as a magnetic envelope around our planet. This envelope, on the side of the Earth facing the Sun, is compressed into a region about three to four times the Earth’s radius.
Interestingly, on the side turned away from the Sun, this envelope stretches out into a long tail, extending beyond the Moon’s orbit. This elongated tail-like feature is what we refer to as the Geotail.
Once every 29 days, the Moon passes through this Geotail for a period of roughly six days. Such a period is particularly advantageous for making scientific observations.
The Functioning of CLASS
The objective of CLASS is to map the abundance of major rock-forming elements on the lunar surface. It does this by making use of X-ray fluorescence during solar flare events. When there’s a solar flare, the surface of the moon is bathed in a rich source of X-rays.
From these incident rays, secondary X-ray emission can occur, a phenomenon that CLASS is equipped to detect. Using this method, CLASS can directly detect the presence of key elements like Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), Aluminium (Al), Iron (Fe), etc, on the lunar surface.
| Element | Significance |
|---|---|
| Sodium (Na) | Essential for rock formation |
| Calcium (Ca) | Makes up a big part of lunar rocks |
| Aluminium (Al) | Abundant in moon’s crust |
| Iron (Fe) | Crucial to the moon’s magnetism |
Source
The source of this information is the Indian Express, a leading newspaper and online publication.
