Moon - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

1)   Which lunar probe will be send to the moon to return with samples in the second half of 2017, by China?

a. Chang’i 2
b. Chang’e 4
c. Chang’i 6
d. Chang’e 5
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Chang’e 5

Explanation:
China will send lunar probe to Chang’e 5 to land on the moon and return with samples in the second half of 2017 according to officials

  • SASTIND or State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence has said this is the first time a Chinese probe will land on the moon, collect samples and return to earth
  • This marks the third stage of the lunar exploration endeavour by China
  • Beijing also aims to be the first to launch a probe on the far side of the moon
  • China will also unveil new generation of Long March 5 and 7 in 2016, along with other new satellites and space labs.


2)   How many new young craters have scientists discovered in the darkest regions of the moon?

a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Team of scientists have discovered two geologically young craters- one 16 million years old and the other between 75-420 million years in the darkest regions of the moon.

  • Young impact craters are located in the darkest regions of the moon
  • These craters are an exciting discovery according to senior research scientist D Kathleen Mandt from Southwest Research Institute in Texas
  • Finding geologically young craters and hone in on their age to understand the collision history in the solar system
  • Collision in space has played an important role in the formation of the solar system including the formation of the Moon.
  • Impact craters tell the history of collisions between objects in the solar system
  • As the moon is peppered with impacts, the surface serves as a record of the past


3)   Water reserves on Moon are the result of which phenomenon?

a. Asteroids acting as delivery vehicles
b. Falling ice comets
c. Water in the atmosphere
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Asteroids acting as delivery vehicles

Explanation:
Researchers from Russia have discovered that water reserves on moon are the result of asteroids functioning as delivery vehicles and not falling ice comets as study using computer simulation has found. Scientists have made the discovery that a massive asteroid can deliver greater amounts of water to the lunar surface than cumulative fall of comets over a billion year period. The simulation has also shown that when short period comets fall, most of the water evaporates and less than 1 percent of it remains in impact point. Fall of asteroids containing water can generate deposits of chemically bounded water located within lunar craters.