Breathtaking new images of the hidden face of the MOON captured by the Chinese lunar rover

Yutu-2, the Chinese Lunar Robot, has captured stunning high-definition photographs from the other side of the moon.

The images show the dusty lunar terrain covered with craters, traces traced by Yutu-2 after the descent of the LG Chang-e-4 and the shadow of Yutu-2 at the Moon's surface .

They were captured by the rover's panoramic camera as he was heading west from his landing site in the South Pole-Aitken Basin – an impact crater located at the site. On the other side of the moon.

The South-Pole-Aitken basin is of interest to scientists as it is believed that an ancient lunar impact might have exposed the Moon's mantle in this region.

By studying this region, scientists hope to learn more about the solar system and the Earth at the time, and will demonstrate the feasibility of future human and robotic missions.

Since arriving on the moon in January, Chang-e-4 and Yutu-2 are performing scientific and exploration tasks in the crater of Von Kármán.

It is believed that the crater is composed of various chemical compounds, including thorium, iron oxide and titanium dioxide, which could provide clues about the origin of the lunar mantle.

Progress has been slow as both vehicles go out during lunar nights – about two weeks each month – while in darkness.

The rover is also required to perform intermittent "naps" – brief periods of hibernation – because of the brutal temperatures of the day, which rise to 200 degrees Celsius.

Despite this, the Chang'e 4 mission has already far exceeded expectations, according to the Planetary Society.

The rover and lander were originally designed to last about three lunar days, but if they get up from their current hibernation on April 28, they will travel to the fifth lunar day.

Since being deployed from the LG Chang & # 39; e-4, the mobile has traveled a distance of 178.9 meters. He traveled the area carefully to approach and analyze the samples with his visible and infrared spectrometer.

Some environmental modeling will be needed to put this data in context, but scientists expect the results to be publishable in the coming months.