admin Until about a decade ago, it was thought that moon was bone dry. A series of discoveries later, this misconception was cleared and traces of trapped water were found on the surface of the moon.
But now, as per the discovery done by NASA’s SOFIA, there is probably far more water then scientists had anticipated. This brings a new ray of hope as now astronauts going on the moon could find refreshments or even fuel on the lunar surface, this would solve most of the problems encountered.
Two studies that were published in Nature Astronomy suggest that water could be stored in the cold traps at the lunar polar regions. These are beadlike structures within the soil and can be extremely small like that of a tip of the pencil.
Prior to this, traces of water were found but the scientists were unable to differentiate between water and hydroxyl (a molecule containing one hydrogen and one oxygen atom). But this new study suggests a chemical proof that water does exist on the lunar surface even in the sunlit areas.
With the help of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), researchers and scientists could study the moon at a more precise wavelength that is six microns than the previously used three. This left no room for doubt that there was presence of molecular water on this celestial body.
The researchers further believe that water is usually trapped instead of glass beads or some other sort of substance that offers it protection against the harsh climatic conditions prevailing on the moon.
If the water found is actually abundant then human exploration can take place at the moon and it can be converted into drinkable water, rocket fuel and even breathable oxygen. These samples collected from the cold traps or glass beads could provide very significant information as to how Moon as well as Earth got its water, may that be asteroids, comets, solar wind and so on.
This discovery will be a potential resource for astronauts to carry out research work both at Moon and Mars.
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