The Moon was once considered a barren, dry celestial body; much of its secrets remained unexplored. Recently, it was discovered that water could be more abundant than thought to exist on the lunar surface. This discovery regarding the Moon’s water deposits is crucial for further exploration of the Moon and human settlement.
A Surprising Discovery
Roger Clark’s research from the Planetary Science Institute has confirmed the existence of water on the moon’s surface, even at the equator. The statement contradicts the notion that most water accumulation occurs in polar regions, particularly deep craters where sunlight is not easily accessible.
Water On The Moon
Despite no liquid water being found on the moon’s surface, significant amounts of water have been observed in its crust and dust. Polar regions have been focused on by a great number of previous studies; temperatures are low enough to create ice within permanently shadowed craters. Clark’s recent research indicates that water can generally be found in various locations on the Moon’s lunar landscape.
Water And Hydroxyl
According to Clark’s research work, the hydroxyl and water are likely bonded in the lunar rocks and soil-forming minerals. Thus, this negates the previous notion that the water on the Moon is confined to the polar regions.
Data From Chandrayaan-1
To make this finding, researchers looked at data from the Chandrayaan-1 mission to India. In 2008-09, this spacecraft orbited the Moon carrying a Moon Mineralogy Mapper, M3, that acquired spectroscopic images of the lunar surface. Scientists investigated how infrared light reflected from the moon can reveal evidence of water and hydroxyl across different latitudes.
The Dynamic Nature Of Lunar Water
Although lunar water is not permanent, scientists have discovered that it can be exposed to cratering events. Yet, a sheet of solar wind radiation can easily erode water on the lunar surface over millions of years. On the other hand, hydroxyl remains. The hydrogen laid down by the solar wind on the lunar surface bonded with the oxygen of the rocks to produce the hydroxyl molecules.
Implications For Future Lunar Exploration
This exciting discovery changes our thinking about the Moon’s water deposits. It has many huge implications for future exploration of lunar missions. The existence of numerous available waters across the Moon is envisaged to make human missions and settlements at least possible. When designing space missions on the Moon, the availability of water will greatly increase their feasibility and sustainability.
