Lunar Glasses

Abstract

Lunar glass, a significant component of lunar soil, is produced by non-equilibrium processes on the moon, such as volcanic eruptions, meteorite impacts, solar wind, and cosmic radiation. Lunar glass of different origins has ability to record historical information of the formation and evolution of the moon. This article presents a comprehensive review of the research progress of lunar glass found within the CE-5 lunar soil. Delving into its fundamental physical properties and microstructure, we explore the specific mechanismsbehind the formation of lunar glass. Furthermore, the investigation focuses on the diverse roles lunar glass plays in lunar evolution studies, such as acting as a “natural camera” that captures the moon's internal and surface changes over different epochs, encompassing lunar origin, magma activity, impact events, space weathering, and the origin of water. The ultra-stable lunar glass with disordered atomic structure can sustainably preserve lunar resources. It is worth noting that it is estimated that it has a substantial reserve of ³He, approximately 260,000 tons, and an astounding 27 billion tons of water. Moreover, lunar glass serves as an invaluable lunar chronometer, providing a reliable temporal framework for dating volcanic activity and impact events. This temporal framework, in turn, serves as a vital tool for investigating the evolution of lunar water, magnetic fields and reconstructing an extensive billion-year history of lunar impacts.