About data analysis
Japanese researchers, by analyzing data collected by a space probe that landed on the moon in January, confirmed the presence of olivine, a mineral that is important in research aimed at answering questions about the origin of the moon. The Lunar Exploration Intelligent Landing Probe, or SLIM, became the first Japanese probe to successfully land on the moon's surface.
A team including researchers from Ritsumeikan and Aizu Universities and others revealed their findings on Monday at an academic meeting held in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo. The researchers analyzed images of rocks on the moon's surface taken by the probe's camera.
They say they have obtained data showing the presence of a mineral called olivine, which may have been present deep within the moon. They say they will study the chemical composition of the mineral in detail.
Professor Otake Makiko from Aizu University says they were able to collect the data they had been waiting for so long. She added that the results provided very encouraging evidence.
Source: websites