Honglei LIN

Associate Research Professor
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Honglei Lin is an Associate Research Professor at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGGCAS). He earned his bachelor's degree from Shandong University of Technology in 2013 and obtained a Ph.D. in Remote Sensing from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 2018. From 2018 to 2020, Dr. Lin worked as a postdoctoral researcher at IGGCAS, focusing on lunar science utilizing China's Chang'e observations. Subsequently, he worked at IGGCAS as an Associate Research Professor.

Dr. Lin's main research interest is planetary remote sensing, with a particular emphasis on using spectroscopy to interpret the compositions of planetary surfaces and uncover the underlying mechanisms of evolutionary processes. As the first author, he has contributed to the publication of more than 15 peer-reviewed papers in journals such as Science Advances, National Science Review, and Geophysical Research Letters, etc.

Actively involved in lunar exploration, Dr. Lin holds key roles as a member of the Secretariat group of the First Lunar Sample Expert Committee of China and a core member of the scientist team for the Chang'e-4 lunar exploration mission. He was selected for the Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by the China Association for Science and Technology, and is a member of the Youth Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

From Apollo to Chang’e-5, What Have We Learned About the Water on The Moon?

The ancient tales centered around the Moon can be found in every culture, fostering a universal fascination with our celestial neighbor. Throughout history, the dream of reaching and living on the Moon has been shared by nations worldwide. Galileo's revelation of the cratered lunar surface marked the initial step in transforming this dream into a tangible reality. Fast forward three centuries, and the Apollo program accomplished the extraordinary feat of landing humans on the lunar surface, providing a pivotal demonstration of the feasibility of lunar habitation.

Water, a fundamental element for sustaining life, emerges as a critical resource for planetary immigration. Beyond its role in supporting life, water also plays a pivotal role in lunar evolution and its interaction with the space environment. The Apollo samples revealed the presence of water on the Moon with diverse origins, while remote sensing spectroscopic observations have initially mapped the water content across the lunar surface. However, the complicated origins of water on the Moon make it difficult to pinpoint the primary source based on the analysis of limited lunar soil grains. Conflicting results of water content from remote sensing have also arisen due to variations in thermal correction methods for spectral observations.

In a groundbreaking move, the Chang'e-5 probe conducted both sample collection and in-situ spectral observations simultaneously for the first time. This pioneering effort has provided new insights into the lunar water content and its sources, contributing to an enhanced understanding of the Moon's evolution process and potential for supporting life and future human activities.

This talk will primarily focus on introducing the current knowledge about the content and origin of lunar surface water based on the in-situ observations from the Chang'e-5 mission and the analysis of its returned samples.