First Results From the Moon's Far Side

Based on data from China’s Yutu-2 rover, our satellite is deeply covered in fluffy moon dust across its surface.

By Eric Betz
Feb 26, 2020 7:00 PMFeb 26, 2020 8:09 PM
china far side moon lander
In 2019, China’s Chang’e-4 spacecraft became the first to ever land softly on the farside of the moon. This image was taken by the Yutu-2 rover, which landed with the spacecraft. (Credit: CNSA via ESA)

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New data from the first spacecraft to land softly on the lunar far side is offering up fresh details about the part of the moon that's hidden from view on Earth. The Chinese rover found that the ground beneath it is similar to what’s found on our satellite’s more familiar face. 

It’s further evidence that the moon’s entire surface — not just the limited parts that astronauts explored — is deeply covered in the fluffy moon dirt that astronomers call regolith. 

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