Moon's upper surface has two distinct layers within centimetres, reveals Chandrayaan-3 'hop' experiment, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• Chandrayaan-3's 'hop' experiment revealed the Moon's upper surface has distinct layers within centimeters.
• The lunar lander traveled about 50 cm during the hop, exceeding initial estimates.
• ChaSTE data indicates a loose, porous top layer gives way to a denser layer 2-6 cm below.
• The experiment demonstrated ISRO's capability to lift a lander from the lunar surface.

Detailed Insights:

• The 'hop' experiment involved firing the lander's engines to lift it about 40 cm and land 50 cm away.
• The rocket plume during the hop displaced about 3 cm of the top layer, exposing underlying layers.
• ChaSTE, a temperature probe, profiled the new site, revealing distinct layers even at 8-9 cm depth.
• This thermal profile is the first of its kind during lunar twilight, useful for planning future moonwalks or lunar bases.
• ChaSTE data also suggests water-ice may be more prevalent on the Moon than previously understood, even outside polar regions.
• Lunar surface temperature drops drastically with depth; at 10 cm, it's about 60 degrees Celsius less than the surface.
• Extreme heat non-conductivity is valuable for creating temperature-controlled habitats on the Moon.

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Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Regolith: The loose, unconsolidated surface material of the Moon, composed of dust, soil, and rock fragments.
• Lunar Twilight: The period of dim light on the Moon before sunrise or after sunset, lasting longer than Earth's twilight.
• Rocket Plume: The exhaust gases produced by a rocket engine during firing, which can impact the surrounding environment.