The Application of Mössbauer Spectroscopy in Mineral Chemistry in Light of the Recent Achievements of the Chang'e-5 Mission

Chang'e-5 lunar soil samples were retrieved by humans from the moon 44 years later, while Chang'e-6 lunar soil samples were obtained for the first time from the far back of the moon. These precious lunar soil samples provide new opportunities and challenges for the application of Mössbauer spectroscopy in lunar exploration and planetary science. Therefore, based on the latest research progress of lunar soil samples from Chang'e-5, we have reviewed the application of Mössbauer spectroscopy in the study of extraterrestrial objects.

Through Mössbauer spectroscopy, we investigated lunar substances, distinguishing between volcanic and impact lunar regolith, as well as maria versus highland lunar regolith. Additionally, we discussed the presence of water in lunar glass beads, ferric iron on the lunar surface as detected by Chang’E-5, and the occurrence of hematite and magnetite in lunar soil. Furthermore, we explored lunar simulants for sustainable lunar development, as well as terrestrial and extraterrestrial minerals related to Changesite-(Y). Lastly, we introduced new hydrous minerals found in the lunar soil, highlighting the diverse and complex nature of lunar geology and its implications for future lunar exploration and utilization.

Using the conventional radioactive sources, the Mössbauer spectroscopy was able typically to identify the phases of olivine, pyroxene, lunar glasses, magnetic α-iron and superparamagnetic iron produced by solar wind. It is a great hope, that with the novel SMS-sources, the unique particles of troilite/pyrrhotite and the unusual phase of magnetite will be available for the Mössbauer spectroscopy studies in the very near future.

At the ICAME2023 conference, we have presented the first results of studying the lunar soil of Chang'e-5 using conventional Mössbauer spectroscopy. We are also pleased to write here that the synchrotron operando Mössbauer characterization of lunar soil particles from Chang'e-5 has been completed at the Nuclear Resonance Scattering Station of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.