As the Vikram lander of the Chandrayaan-3 mission descended and descended near the south pole of the Moon on August 23, 2023, its thrusters ejected a significant amount of material from the lunar surface (epiregolith), creating a reflection anomaly or “ejecta halo”. “The halo usually looks like an irregular bright spot surrounding the lander.
Chandrayaan-3 Results: On August 23, 2023, while descending, the Chandrayaan-3 Lander Module generated a spectacular ‘ejection halo’ of lunar material.
Scientists from NRSC/ISRO estimate that about 2.06 tons of lunar epiregolith was ejected and moved to an area of 108.4 m²…
— ISRO (@isro)
October 27, 2023
What is Ejecta Halo?
An ejecta halo is a bright spot on the surface of the Moon that is created when a meteorite or asteroid collides with the Moon. The impact causes material to be ejected from the surface, forming a crater and a surrounding halo of ejected material. The flail is thrown in all directions and can travel a considerable distance from the point of impact.
How did Chandrayaan-3 create the ejecta halo?
The Chandrayaan-3 lander, Vikram, created an ejection halo on the lunar surface when it touched down at the South Pole on August 23, 2023. NRSC/ISRO scientists estimate that about 2.06 tonnes of lunar epiregolith was ejected and moved across the surface 108.4 m² around the landing site. The lander’s impact dislodged about 2.06 tons of lunar epiregolith, which is the upper layer of the moon’s surface.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
On August 27, 2023, the rover encountered a 4 meter diameter crater located 3 meters in front of its location. The rover was ordered to return on track.
Now he is certainly going a new way.#Chandrayaan_3#Ch3 pic.twitter.com/QfOmqDYvSF
— ISRO (@isro)
August 28, 2023
How was the ejected halo studied?
The ejecta halo around the Chandrayaan-3 landing site was studied using high-resolution images from the Orbiter High-Resolution Camera (OHRC) on the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter. The OHRC images were taken before and after Vikram’s landing, allowing scientists to compare the surface before and after the impact.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
These are images of the far side of the Moon taken by the Landing Hazard Detection and Avoidance Camera (LHDAC).
This camera, which helps locate a safe landing area — free of rocks or deep trenches — during descent, was developed by ISRO… pic.twitter.com/rwWhrNFhHB
— ISRO (@isro)
August 21, 2023
What does the ejection halo tell us about the Moon?
The ejecta halo around the Chandrayaan-3 landing site provides insight into the lunar surface and its effects during landing. It will also help gather data on the history of lunar impacts. Scientists will be able to examine the characteristics and distribution of the lunar soil (regolith), as well as the composition of lunar dust particles and rocks.
Also try: Chandrayaan-3: Why is it important to land on the Moon’s South Pole?
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: newstars.edu.vn