Chinese scientists will soon start analysing soil samples brought back from a largely unexplored area of the Moon.
A capsule from the Chang’e-6 mission brought back 1.935kg of soil from the far side of the lunar surface on Tuesday, making China the first country to achieve such a feat.
The samples from the South Pole-Aitken Basin region are being stored at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, where researchers will try to unlock some of the secrets of lunar history and the solar system.
“The first lunar far-side sample of mankind has unique scientific significance,” the China National Space Administration said in a statement on Friday.
“It will further enhance mankind's understanding of the evolution of the Moon, accelerate mankind's peaceful exploration and utilisation of lunar resources and is an important asset for all mankind.”
Significance of the far side
The far side of the Moon is perpetually hidden from Earth due to tidal locking.
It has a different landscape than the side that faces Earth, with a thicker crust, fewer maria – the dark plains seen on the near side – and a more rugged terrain.
The variation in terrain suggests it has experienced different and possibly more ancient geological processes than the near side, offering clues about the Moon's past.
Previous missions, including by Nasa and the former Soviet Union, have focused mostly on the near side.
China’s Chang’e-4 mission landed on the far side in 2018 but it was not part of a return-sample mission.
The soil samples returned by the Chang’e-6 mission are particularly valuable because they come from an area that has remained largely unexplored and undisturbed, offering pristine material for analysis.
Potential discoveries from the soil samples
The South Pole-Aitken Basin region holds the potential to reveal critical information about the Moon's composition, geological history and even broader cosmic events.
The findings can also help space agencies in setting up human bases on the Moon, as they look to tap into the resources found on the lunar surface.
The samples can give insights into the composition of the lunar crust on the far side, including unique minerals and chemical elements that differ from those found on the near side.
This can help scientists build a more comprehensive picture of the Moon's formation and the geological processes that have shaped its surface over billions of years.
They can also potentially unlock secrets on the history of lunar volcanism if there is evidence of volcanic rocks or ancient volcanic activity within the samples.
The findings would help them learn more on the Moon's thermal evolution and explain the differences in volcanic activity between the near and far sides.
Another exciting possibility is the discovery of water within the soil samples.
Although the Moon was long thought to be dry, recent missions have detected traces of water on its surface.
Finding water in the far-side samples could impact future lunar exploration and help in setting up human bases on the Moon.
It could also reveal where water comes from and how it is spread throughout the inner solar system.
Amazing images from the James Webb Space Telescope: in pictures
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology
Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India
Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur
How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993
Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters
Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Votes
Total votes: 1.8 million
Ashraf Ghani: 923,592 votes
Abdullah Abdullah: 720,841 votes
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
The past Palme d'Or winners
2018 Shoplifters, Hirokazu Kore-eda
2017 The Square, Ruben Ostlund
2016 I, Daniel Blake, Ken Loach
2015 Dheepan, Jacques Audiard
2014 Winter Sleep (Kış Uykusu), Nuri Bilge Ceylan
2013 Blue is the Warmest Colour (La Vie d'Adèle: Chapitres 1 et 2), Abdellatif Kechiche, Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux
2012 Amour, Michael Haneke
2011 The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick
2010 Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (Lung Bunmi Raluek Chat), Apichatpong Weerasethakul
2009 The White Ribbon (Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte), Michael Haneke
2008 The Class (Entre les murs), Laurent Cantet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets