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Chang’e-4, the Chinese vehicle that made waves recently for making the first soft landing on the far side of the moon, isn't done mystifying those of us down here on Earth.
In addition to a lander and rover, Chang’e-4 also features a six pound canister filled with a variety of seeds—like that of cotton and potatoes—along with fruit fly eggs and yeast. The intention is to create a miniature ecosystem that could provide more information to scientists on the feasibility of sustaining life on a planet outside of our biological origin.
Now, Chang’e-4 has achieved a first for the second time: The cotton seeds in the canister have begun to sprout, making these plants the first to be grown on a planetary body other than Earth.
First in human history: A cotton seed brought to the moon by China's Chang'e 4 probe has sprouted, the latest test… https://t.co/y13IsNxYVy— People's Daily, China (@People's Daily, China) 1547516948.0
People all over the planet were amazed.
@PDChina Great feat!! I trust the Chinese to break many records in the next decade. Well done to the team that has organized this mission.— Deinabo Horsfall (@Deinabo Horsfall) 1547534795.0
@PDChina Congrats! This is amazing.— TJohn🌊🌊🌊 (@TJohn🌊🌊🌊) 1547577572.0
@PDChina Wow— Julia McLane (@Julia McLane) 1547572814.0
@PDChina Awesomeness!! https://t.co/uZVneuiCGf— Johnny Kid (@Johnny Kid) 1547551308.0
@PDChina Congrats! This is amazing.— TJohn🌊🌊🌊 (@TJohn🌊🌊🌊) 1547577572.0
The remarkable achievement got many thinking about the implications as well.
As they looked to the stars, Twitter users began speculating on the future.
@PDChina Excited. 👍👍But there is still a long way to go before humans can really step into space. I hope that human… https://t.co/o9aavvugwQ— KampfWut (@KampfWut) 1547527373.0
@PDChina oh yeah great destroy our moon while were at it— We The Creatives (@We The Creatives) 1547577643.0
Naturally, there were questions.
@PDChina How many years till my clothes carry the label 'Made on Moon' instead of "Made in China'?— 💫 What's in a name? 💫 (@💫 What's in a name? 💫) 1547579524.0
@PDChina Does that mean the Chang'e has colonized the moon?— Brad Driscoll (@Brad Driscoll) 1547517015.0
But as Chang'e-4 has demonstrated, there are plenty of scientists ready to find the answers.