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Chandrayaan-3: Lunar South Pole Plasma Findings
Chandrayaan-3 recorded the first direct plasma measurements near the Moon’s south pole, revealing an unusually dense and energetic ionised layer above the surface. The Vikram lander’s RAMBHA-LP instrument measured electron densities of 380–600 cm³ and temperatures of 3,000–8,000 K, much higher than earlier remote estimates.
Plasma variation was linked to the Moon’s movement between sunlight and Earth’s magnetotail, altering density and particle behaviour. Findings also detected molecular-ion contributions (CO₂, H₂O), expanding understanding of lunar ionospheric chemistry. These insights help future missions mitigate effects on communication, surface charging and instrument performance.
Plasma variation was linked to the Moon’s movement between sunlight and Earth’s magnetotail, altering density and particle behaviour. Findings also detected molecular-ion contributions (CO₂, H₂O), expanding understanding of lunar ionospheric chemistry. These insights help future missions mitigate effects on communication, surface charging and instrument performance.