Chandrayaan-3 Data shows 60°C temp difference on Moon
A groundbreaking study using data from the Chandrayaan-3 lander’s ChaSTE payload revealed a significant temperature difference of nearly 60°C between the moon’s surface and 10 centimeters below it.
The ChaSTE instrument, embedded in the lunar regolith, tracked temperature variations over 10 days, providing insights into the moon’s thermal properties. The findings suggest that the lunar surface is highly non-conductive, potentially serving as a thermal insulator for future human habitats.
The experiment’s strategic timing during the lunar day allowed for a live thermal conductivity test, demonstrating the regolith’s minimal heat conduction capabilities.
This discovery is crucial for overcoming the moon’s extreme temperature fluctuations, ranging from 121°C during the day to -133°C at night, with even lower temperatures in deep craters. Creating stable, habitable conditions on the moon is essential for long-term missions and potential colonization efforts.
As scientists explore the moon’s potential for deep space exploration, this research lays a promising foundation for sustainable lunar habitats.
The forthcoming publication of the study is expected to provide further details on the moon’s thermal properties and their implications for future missions, highlighting the importance of leveraging the moon’s unique characteristics for establishing temperature-controlled environments.
