Moon dust 'rarer than gold' arrives in UK from China

The first samples of Moon rock to be brought back to Earth in nearly 50 years have arrived in the UK, on loan from China. These tiny grains of dust are now securely stored in a high-security facility in Milton Keynes, and Professor Mahesh Anand is the only scientist in the UK who has been given access to this extremely rare material. He describes it as 'more precious than gold dust. ' Professor Anand feels honored to have the opportunity to study these samples, as no one else in the world has had access to them. He traveled to China to collect the samples himself, and his team plans to analyze the dust to answer important questions about the formation of the Moon and the early years of our planet. They believe that the dust may contain evidence supporting the theory that the Moon was formed from debris created when Earth collided with a Mars-sized planet approximately 4. 5 billion years ago. The Moon rocks were collected during China's Chang'e 5 space mission in 2020, which landed on a volcanic area known as Mons Rümker. A robotic arm drilled into the soil to collect 2 kilograms of material, which was then brought back to Earth in a capsule that landed in Inner Mongolia. This mission marked the first successful lunar sampling since a Soviet mission in 1976, and it has positioned China as a leader in the new space race. In a significant move towards global collaboration, China has granted access to these samples to seven international researchers, allowing them to make new discoveries. Professor Anand received the tiny vials of Moon dust during a glamorous ceremony in Beijing, where he met colleagues from Russia, Japan, Pakistan, and Europe. He remarked on how advanced China is in terms of their investment in space programs. After the ceremony, he returned to the UK with the precious samples in his hand luggage, ensuring their safety. In his lab at the Open University in Milton Keynes, strict protocols are in place to prevent contamination of the Moon dust. The team must wear plastic gloves, gowns, hair nets, and hoods to maintain a spotless environment. If any earthly material mixes with the extraterrestrial dust, it could compromise their analysis. When Professor Anand opened the safe to reveal the samples, we saw small containers holding the Moon dust. Although it may appear unremarkable, it is awe-inspiring to consider its cosmic journey. Professor Anand believes that even the small amount of dust they have, totaling 60 milligrams, will keep them busy for years to come. Kay Knight, a technician in the lab, will be the first person to work on the grains of dust when the vials are opened. With 36 years of experience cutting and grinding rocks, this will be her first time working with material directly from the lunar surface. She expressed her excitement and nervousness, knowing that the samples are limited and cannot be easily replaced. After Kay prepares the samples, they will be sent to two additional labs for further analysis. One of these labs houses a unique machine called Finesse, which technician Sasha Verchovsky has been building since the early 1990s. This machine can heat the dust to 1400 degrees Celsius, allowing the team to extract carbon, nitrogen, and noble gases. Another technician, James Malley, will use a different machine to determine the oxygen content in the dust. He demonstrated how he will use a laser to heat the grains, causing them to glow and melt inward. Professor Anand, who has previously worked with Apollo samples, believes that the new samples from China will open up exciting avenues for scientific discovery. The team has one year to complete their research, and they understand that their quest for answers may ultimately lead to the destruction of the samples. However, China has continued its efforts in space exploration, with plans to launch the Chang'e 6 mission in 2024 to collect samples from the far side of the Moon. Professor Anand hopes that this collaboration will mark the beginning of a long-term partnership between China and international scientists, following a tradition of global cooperation in space research.