New results and questions of lunar exploration from SELENE, Chang’E-1, Chandrayaan-1 and LRO/LCROSS Original Research Article

The moon has longstanding questions such as lunar environments, origin, formation and evolution, magnetization of crustal rocks, internal structure and possible life. The recent lunar missions, e.g., SELenological and ENgineering Explorer “KAGUYA” (SELENE), Chang’E-1, Chandrayaan-1, and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter/Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LRO/LCROSS), have provided new opportunities to explore and understand these issues. In this paper, we reviewed and presented the results and findings in the fields of lunar gravity, magnetic field, atmosphere, surface geomorphology and compositional variations, volcano, craters, internal structure, water and life science from new lunar exploration missions. In addition, the new objectives and scientific questions on lunar explorations in near future are presented and discussed.