NASA data shows much more water on the moon than we initially thought

Hidden pockets of water on the moon may be far more common than scientists previously thought, and the discovery could have potential implications for future lunar missions.

Researchers suggest that in some cases tiny patches of ice could exist in permanent shadows no larger than a penny.

They explored phenomena on the moon called “cold traps”, which are dark regions of the surface that exist in a state of eternal darkness.

Many are thought to have been without a single ray of sunlight for potentially billions of years.

Now scientists say there may be far more of these nooks and crannies than previous data suggests.

Paul Hayne, assistant professor in the laboratory of atmosphere and space physics at the University of Colorado Boulder, said, “If you can imagine standing on the surface of the moon near one of its poles, you would see shadows all over the place.

“Many of those tiny shadows could be filled with ice.”

Drawing on detailed data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, the researchers estimate that the moon could host about 15,000 square miles of permanent shadows of various shapes and sizes.

According to the scientists, these could be reservoirs capable of preserving water through ice.

Professor Hayne added: ‘If we’re right, water will be more accessible for drinking water, for rocket fuel, everything NASA needs water for.’

Previous research has reported signs of hydration on the lunar surface, particularly around the south pole.

However, these detections are based on a spectral signature, at three micrometers, which cannot discriminate between water and hydroxyl (oxygen bound to hydrogen) bound to minerals.

In one of two papers published in Nature Astronomy, Casey Honniball of the University of Hawaii and colleagues analyzed data from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) aerial telescope that observed the moon at six micrometers.

At this wavelength, they were able to detect a spectral signature of water that is not shared with other hydroxyl compounds.

They found that water is present in the high southern latitudes.

The authors suggest that the detected water is likely stored in glass or among grains on the lunar surface that protect it from the hostile environment.

Temperatures in these places can be as low as -157 degrees Celsius.

In the other study, Prof Hayne evaluated a whole range of possible sizes for cold traps, up to one centimeter in diameter.

The team found that small-scale micro cold traps, some only 1cm wide, are hundreds to thousands of times more numerous than larger cold traps and can be found on both poles.

The authors suggest that about 15,000 square miles of the lunar surface has the ability to trap water.

The researchers say the results indicate that water is efficiently produced or delivered to the moon via various processes and is likely to be stored in the moon’s cold traps in both polar regions.

The team extracted data from real-life observations of the moon, then used mathematical tools to recreate what its surface might look like on a very small scale.

They say it’s a bit like a golf ball.

However, the researchers warn that they cannot prove that these shadows actually hold pockets of ice, and the only way to do that would be to go there in person or by rovers and dig.

But they say the results are promising and future missions could shed even more light on the moon’s water resources.

Professor Hayne said: ‘Astronauts may not need to enter these deep, dark shadows.

“They could go around and find one that is three feet wide and that could house ice.”

In addition to being used for drinking and sewage, water is vital for oxygen and fuel for launching rockets to Earth or further into the solar system.

NASA is currently working on its ‘Artemis’ mission, which will see humans return to the lunar surface by 2024.

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