The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released a graph on August 27 showing the temperature variation on the lunar surface with increasing depth. The data was collected by the ChaSTE payload onboard the Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander module.
ChaSTE, or Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment, is designed to measure the temperature profile of the lunar topsoil around the south pole. This information will help scientists better understand the thermal behavior of the Moon’s surface.
The payload has a temperature probe that can penetrate up to 10 centimeters below the surface. The probe is equipped with 10 individual temperature sensors, which record the temperature variations at different depths.
The graph released by ISRO shows that the temperature of the lunar surface decreases with increasing depth. The temperature at a depth of 10 centimeters is about 10 degrees Celsius cooler than the temperature at the surface.
This is the first time that such a temperature profile has been obtained for the lunar south pole. The data from ChaSTE will help scientists better understand the formation and evolution of the Moon’s surface, as well as the processes that control its thermal environment.
The ChaSTE payload was developed by a team led by the Space Physics Laboratory (SPL) of ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in collaboration with the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is India’s third lunar mission. The lander module touched down on the lunar surface on September 7, 2023, making India only the fourth country to accomplish the feat. The mission is also the first to reach the uncharted south pole of the Moon.
The data from ChaSTE and other instruments onboard Chandrayaan-3 will help scientists learn more about the Moon and its history. This information could be used to plan future missions to the Moon, including human missions.
