Daily Current Affairs : 26-August-2023

The recent controlled descent of the Vikram lander during the Chandrayaan-3 mission marked a significant achievement in lunar exploration. This event brought the lunar mission closer to the moon’s South Pole than ever before. To better understand this achievement, it is essential to delve into the concepts of the moon’s ‘near’ and ‘far sides’ and dispel the notion of a ‘dark side’.

Moon’s Sides: Near and Far

The moon, Earth’s celestial neighbor, presents two distinct faces to observers on our planet: the near side and the far side. The near side constitutes approximately 60% of the moon’s surface and is consistently visible to us. This consistency arises because the moon takes the same amount of time to complete one rotation on its axis as it does to orbit Earth. However, this synchronization does not mean that half of the moon is forever shrouded in darkness.

During the phase known as the ‘new moon’, when the moon is not visible from Earth, sunlight bathes the far side, illuminating it for nearly two weeks. The term ‘dark side’ is misleading; it gained prominence because the topographical features of this hidden face remained a mystery until the Soviet spacecraft Luna 3 captured images of it in 1959.

Contrasting Lunar Landscapes

A striking disparity exists between the near and far sides of the moon. The near side is smoother and features a greater number of ‘maria’, expansive volcanic plains. These maria formed when volcanic lava flowed extensively across the relatively thinner crust, filling craters and creating flat plains. These plains offer favorable conditions for space missions, providing a relatively even terrain for landers and rovers to navigate.

In contrast, the far side showcases vast craters, some spanning thousands of kilometers, attributed to asteroid collisions. The presence of these colossal craters underscores the moon’s tumultuous past, marked by celestial impacts that have sculpted its surface over millions of years.

Chandrayaan-3’s Momentous Landing

Chandrayaan-3, India’s lunar mission, holds substantial significance in the realm of space exploration. It successfully identified a landing area characterized by spots with 150-meter intervals, ensuring a safe descent. Notably, China’s Chang’e-4 lander is the sole craft to have achieved a successful landing on the moon’s far side.

However, Chandrayaan-3’s achievement lies in its closest-ever landing of the Vikram lander to the lunar South Pole while still on the moon’s near side. Such a strategic landing allows for direct, line-of-sight communication with Earth—a necessity for real-time updates. In contrast, landing on the moon’s far side would demand the presence of a relay system to facilitate communication between the rover and Earth due to the absence of direct communication lines.

Important Points:

  • Moon’s Sides:
    • The moon has two distinct sides: the ‘near side’ (visible from Earth) and the ‘far side’ (hidden from Earth until 1959).
    • The term ‘dark side’ is misleading, as it refers to the previously unexplored far side, not perpetual darkness.
  • Differences in Lunar Landscapes:
    • The near side is smoother and features numerous ‘maria’ (large volcanic plains).
    • The far side is marked by massive craters, likely the result of asteroid impacts.
    • Thinner crust on the near side allowed volcanic lava to create extensive plains, making it more suitable for space missions.
  • Chandrayaan-3’s Significance:
    • Chandrayaan-3 identified a safe landing area with 150-meter intervals.
    • China’s Chang’e-4 is the only successful far side lander.
    • Chandrayaan-3 achieved a record landing closest to the lunar South Pole on the near side.
    • Landing on the far side would require a relay system for communication due to the lack of direct line-of-sight to Earth.
Why In News

The meticulously executed controlled descent of the Vikram lander during Chandrayaan-3’s mission marked a historic milestone as it ventured closer to the moon’s South Pole than any previous lunar mission. This achievement showcased India’s exceptional prowess in lunar exploration and furthered our understanding of the moon’s enigmatic southern region.

MCQs about Chandrayaan-3’s Lunar Milestone

  1. Chandrayaan-3 identified a landing area with 150-meter intervals on the moon’s:
    A. Near side
    B. Far side
    C. Dark side
    D. South Pole
    Correct Answer: A. Near side
    Explanation: Chandrayaan-3 identified a safe landing area on the near side of the moon.
  2. What is the primary reason the far side of the moon was historically referred to as the “dark side”?
    A. It is permanently shrouded in darkness.
    B. It is not visible from Earth.
    C. It is colder than the near side.
    D. It has more craters.
    Correct Answer: B. It is not visible from Earth.
    Explanation: The term “dark side” was used because it was not visible from Earth until 1959.
  3. What is the main difference between the near side and the far side of the moon’s surface?
    A. The near side has more craters.
    B. The far side is permanently sunlit.
    C. The near side is smoother with volcanic plains.
    D. The far side is smoother with volcanic plains.
    Correct Answer: C. The near side is smoother with volcanic plains.
    Explanation: The near side is relatively smoother with more ‘maria’ or large volcanic plains.
  4. Why is it necessary to use a relay system for communication when landing on the moon’s far side?
    A. The far side has no sunlight.
    B. There are more obstacles on the far side.
    C. Direct line-of-sight communication with Earth is not possible.
    D. The far side has a thicker crust.
    Correct Answer: C. Direct line-of-sight communication with Earth is not possible.
    Explanation: Landing on the far side means there is no direct line-of-sight communication with Earth, hence the need for a relay system.

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