In Situ Measurements of Lunar Dust at the Chang'E‐3 Landing Site in the Northern Mare Imbrium

Lunar dust is regarded as the most crucial environmental problem on the Moon, and related research has crucially important scientific and technological interests. Here, we first reported the in situ measurements of lunar dust at the Chang'E‐3 landing site in the northern Mare Imbrium using temperature‐controlled sticky quartz crystal microbalance. The results showed that a total deposition mass at a height of 190 cm above the lunar surface during 12 lunar daytimes in the northern Mare Imbrium was about 0.0065 mg/cm2, corresponding to an annual deposition rate of ~21.4 μg/cm2, which is comparable with that of Apollo's result to some extent. The present researches are strategically important for future human and robotic lunar expeditions, and can provide a valuable reference for the design of dust protection for onboard payloads long‐term exposure to the lunar environment. Plain Language Summary Apollo astronauts pointed out that “dust is the number one environmental problem on the Moon” and “dust is the number one concern in returning to the Moon.” Dust on the lunar surface can be easily levitated and transported by several natural and anthropogenic causes, which can raise several detrimental problems for exploration activities. To date, however, the reports about in situ measurements of dust on the lunar near surface are comparatively few. The sticky quartz crystal microbalance onboard Chang'E‐3 was used to investigate the lunar dust deposition rate caused by natural factors, and an annual deposition rate, ~21.4 μg/cm2, in the northern Mare Imbrium was determined for the first time. This work was unique as it was made on the lunar surface rather than in orbit, and this research can provide a valuable reference for the protection of the payloads from exposure to lunar dust particles for the future lunar exploration missions. Key Points Sticky quartz crystal microbalance was used to detect lunar dust for the first time Annual lunar dust deposition mass in the northern Mare Imbrium was first determined The most probable causes for the high dust deposition rates in the first three daytimes were the activities of Yutu rover and two major meteors