Wed Apr 30 18:58:09 UTC 2025: ## Chandrayaan-3 Landing Site Reveals Clues to Moon’s Early History
**Bengaluru, India (May 1, 2025)** – Analysis of data from the Chandrayaan-3 mission’s Vikram lander has revealed that the landing site, dubbed Shiv Shakti point, is a potentially rich source of primitive lunar mantle samples. This discovery, published in *Nature Communications Earth and Environment*, comes from scientists at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL).
Using the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) on the Pragyan rover, researchers found unusual concentrations of volatile elements at the site. Specifically, sodium and potassium levels were significantly lower than those found in samples from previous lunar missions (Apollo 16 and Luna 20), while sulfur levels were considerably higher.
This anomaly suggests the presence of primitive lunar mantle material, excavated during the formation of the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin 4.3 billion years ago. The excess sulfur is attributed to this primitive mantle, while the low sodium and potassium levels indicate a possible absence of KREEP (potassium, rare earth elements, and phosphorus) at the site during the SPA basin’s formation.
The findings highlight Shiv Shakti point as a prime location for future lunar missions seeking to understand the Moon’s early evolution. The unique elemental composition makes it a valuable site for obtaining samples that could significantly advance our knowledge of the Moon’s geological history.
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