Chinese scientists use AI to map chemical composition of Moon’s far side

Chinese researchers have developed an artificial intelligence model that advances the mapping of the Moon’s chemical composition. Using measured data from the first samples collected on the lunar far side by the Chang'e-6 mission, the model incorporates ground-truth information into a global chemical composition map, giving previously unknown details about the natural asymmetry of the Moon and the geological evolution of the South Pole-Aitken Basin, according to the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory.

As reported by Global Times, a partner of TV BRICS, the research findings were published as a cover article in the international academic journal, highlighting the scientific importance of the results.

Scientists designed an intelligent inversion framework to determine the Moon’s chemical composition by combining far-side sample measurements with high-resolution visible and near-infrared multispectral data gathered from lunar orbit. This approach enabled the integration of direct sample evidence with remote sensing observations, producing a more comprehensive understanding of the Moon’s geochemical structure.

Using artificial intelligence, the researchers reconstructed the distribution of oxides of six major elements across the lunar surface – iron, titanium, aluminium, magnesium, calcium and silicon – together with the magnesium index. The model proved capable of generating accurate global results even with a limited number of samples, demonstrating the effectiveness of combining advanced algorithms with high-resolution observational data.

The study also charts the elemental characteristics of three major lunar geochemical regions – the lunar mare, the highlands and the South Pole-Aitken Basin. Researchers identified a higher exposure proportion of magnesian anorthosite and related rock suites on the far side compared with the near side, providing quantitative evidence supporting the theory of asymmetric crystallisation in the Moon’s magma ocean. In addition, the research precisely outlines the boundary between the magnesian pyroxene ring and an iron-rich anomaly zone within the South Pole-Aitken Basin, offering valuable chemical data to support future lunar landings, resource exploration and long-term deep-space mission planning.