NASA discovers water on the moon

NASA announced that water was discovered on the sunlit surface of the moon.

This is an important revelation indicating that water can be distributed over the lunar surface and not just limited to cold, shady places like the poles.

THE DETECTION IS VERY UNIQUE FOR MOLECULAR WATER

Shuai Li, a planetary scientist, said, “The detection is very unique to molecular water. The water signature was detected on the illuminated surface of the moon, where the molecule would be exposed to UV radiation and where temperatures fluctuate greatly between sunrise, noon and sunset. It’s a bit surprising, but it’s conclusive. To our knowledge, it can’t be anything else. “

SOFIA WAS KEY TO THE DISCOVERY

The study of water on the moon requires a giant flying telescope.

One of the keys to the discovery was the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a Boeing 747 with a telescope installed in the rear of the fuselage.

The plane, operated by NASA and DLR, the German Aerospace Center flies at nearly 43,000 feet. During the flight, he opens a hatch in the back, pointing his telescope at the sky and studying the cosmos in infrared light.

SOFIA circumvents a problem encountered by telescopes closer to the ground.

Jessica Sunshine, an astronomer, said: “There is a lot of water between us and the moon. The 747’s observatory is designed to fly high enough above the earth that much of the water vapor does not interfere with the observations giving it a clear chance to scour the lunar surface for signs of H2O. I’m surprised no one has thought of doing this before. “

WATER DETECTED AROUND THE CLAVIO CRATER

The NASA team has detected the water around the Clavius ​​crater.

“It’s the same thing we drink on Earth. But the abundance is extremely low. You will have to process a few thousand kilograms of lunar regolith to get 1 kilogram of water, ”Li said.

The solar wind can help create water on the surface. The sun emits hydrogen atoms which collide with the moon.

The team found little hydroxyl around Clavius ​​crater. They propose that the impacts of micrometeorites can help mobilize hydrogen and oxygen atoms, turning them into water.

THE PUSH OF NASA TO RETURN TO THE MOON

NASA is pushing to return to the moon with the Artemis program which aims to establish a permanent base on the lunar surface by the end of the decade.

Any future lunar base is likely to benefit from resources on the lunar surface, a process known as in situ resource utilization.

Craig Lindley, a computational modeling expert, said: “The water on the moon’s surface can be used for many very important things such as supporting astronauts, creating oxygen and hydrogen for rocket fuel or power generation, or conducting horticulture experiments “.

A handful of space agencies, including NASA and the European Space Agency, are looking into ways to identify and extract water from the moon.

NASA wants to explore the unknown regions of the lunar south pole, potentially using the region as a stepping stone for further exploration of the solar system and missions to Mars.