Global Distribution Of Sodium On The Moon’s Surface:
Scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have mapped out the global distribution of sodium on the Moon’s surface.
- They used the CLASS instrument (Chandrayaan-2 large area soft X-ray spectrometer) carried by the second Indian Moon mission, Chandrayaan-2.
- 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).
- 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.
- Chandrayaan-2 (2019) :
- 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.
