Sign In
Learn bits
Science & Tech.
Mahesh

13/10/22 06:34 AM IST

Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter locates Sodium abundance on Moon

In News 
  • Scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have mapped out the global distribution of sodium on the Moon’s surface.
Major Findings 
  • Two types of of sodium atoms have been found on the Moon’s surface, those that are loosely bound on the surface and those that are part of the minerals.
  • External agents such as solar radiation liberate the loosely bound atoms more easily thus acting as a source of the atoms in the lunar exosphere.
  • There are sodium atoms that are weakly bound to the lunar surface.
  • When compared to Earth, the moon is significantly depleted of volatile elements such as sodium.
  • Sodium is the only element apart from potassium that can be observed through telescopes in the lunar atmosphere (its exosphere).
Findings so far by Chandrayaan-2 
  • Finding hydroxyl & water molecules on Lunar Surface
  • Distribution of gas in lunar atmosphere
  • Presence of precious elements
  • Study of the Sun
Significance 
  • This new map of sodium would enable an understanding of the surface-exosphere connection.
  • It can also be used as a tracer of the volatile history of the moon.
  • The Moon is the closest cosmic body at which space discovery can be attempted and documented.
  • It is also a promising test bed to demonstrate technologies required for deep-space missions.
  • The Moon provides the best linkage to Earth’s early history.
  • It offers an undisturbed historical record of the inner Solar system environment.
Chandrayaan-2
  • Chandrayaan-2 (sent in 2019) was the second lunar exploration mission developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation, after Chandrayaan-1 (2008).
  • It consisted of a lunar orbiter, and also included the Vikram lander, and the Pragyan lunar rover, all of which were developed in India.
Source- AIR News 

More Related Current Affairs View All

17 Sep

Reasons Behind the heavy rain in Uttarakhand, Himachal

'Dehradun and several other districts in Uttarakhand have experienced very heavy rainfall over the past few days, triggering landslides in multiple areas and causing rivers to swel

Read More

08 Sep

Rajasthan’s coaching centre Bill

'The Rajasthan Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025, is a significant piece of legislation passed by the Rajasthan Assembly to regulate and oversee the state's burg

Read More

28 Aug

IADT-1

'Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully carried out its first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-1), a crucial milestone in the preparation for the countr

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps