Transcrystalline Fracture of Minerals on the Moon

作者：Qing Liang, Zhou Jiang, Xiujuan Li, Xiujuan Li, Xinyang Li, Xinyang Li, Meiqi Liu, Zhen Chen, Zhenzhen Zhao, Rui Zhang, Meng Zou, Qiang Zhou, Wei Zhang · 发表于：Nano Letters · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c04827 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：Planetary Science and Exploration、Astro and Planetary Science、High-pressure geophysics and materials

To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to identify the mechanical mode from an atomic-level experimental observation and theoretical analysis of microfracture of minerals on the Moon. This vivid case comes from the focused anorthite in the Chang'e-5 lunar soil samples, where microstructural evidence reveals transcrystalline fracture patterns and localized amorphous domains that may correlate with high-velocity impacts. Such findings are crucial for revealing the extreme occurrence of the early Moon via the paradigm of materials science, i.e., coincidence with the collision and impact on the Moon. Thus, it may enrich our understanding of the Moon's evolution and thereby inspire future studies of relevant extraterrestrial bodies.