China’s Chang’e-6 snagged the first samples from the farside of the moon

The sample collection could provide insights into lunar volcanism

An image of China's Chang'e-6 lander on the moon's surface

China's Chang'e-6 lunar lander (shown) has collected samples from the moon. The ascent vehicle shown on top of the lander recently lifted off with those samples, which are slated to return to Earth in late June.

CLEP/ CNSA

China has become the first country to collect samples from the farside of the moon, hopefully providing scientists with new insights into the history and formation of our natural satellite.