Water molecules found all over the Moon’s surface

A group of American researchers studied data obtained by the Indian spacecraft Chandrayaan-1 and stated that water molecules are present throughout the surface of the Moon, and not just in areas close to its poles.

Image source: JB/pixabay.com

Traces of water are present at all lunar latitudes, including those illuminated by the Sun, a group of scientists from the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson (Arizona) and other US research institutions discovered. They made their conclusions by analyzing mineralogical maps of the Moon, which were obtained using the Moon Mineralogy Mapper instrument installed on the Indian Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft.

Rocks rich in water and hydroxyl are present throughout the surface of the Moon, scientists say. “Future astronauts may be able to find water even near the equator,” said Dr. Roger Clark, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute and a member of the research team. Previously, Chinese scientists suggested that the resources necessary to obtain water and supply objects on the Moon are available in sufficient quantities only in the polar regions, where access to sunlight is difficult.