Innovative approaches advance search for ice on the moon

The sun might be spitting out particles that create water on the moon

Future moon astronauts may find water more accessible than previously thought, according to a new experiment that suggests the sun is replenishing the sought-after resource on the lunar surface.

Newly Analyzed Satellite Scans of the Deepest Lunar Craters Reveal ‘Chilling’ Results

A new analysis of scans of the deepest lunar craters has revealed significantly fewer ice deposits than previously believed. Early estimates from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa researchers who made the initial discovery of surface-exposed water ice on the moon in 2018 projected that as much as 30% of the surface area within these permanently shaded regions (PSRs) consists of ice deposits. The new estimates made by researchers from that same u…

Innovative approaches advance search for ice on the moon

Scientists and space explorers have been on the hunt to determine where and how much ice is present on the moon. Water ice would be an important resource at a future lunar base, as it could be used to support humans or be broken down to hydrogen and oxygen, key components of rocket fuel.

Solar wind may be key to water formation on moon — NASA studyA new NASA experiment has shown that solar wind could play a key role in water formation on the moon. It interacts with lunar soil, forming the hydrogen needed to create water.

Almost a quarter of all lunar ejecta eventually hits Earth

The Moon’s surface is covered by impact craters, ranging from microscopic pits to massive basins over 1,000 kilometres across. These craters formed primarily during the Late Heavy Bombardment period about 4 billion years ago, when the inner Solar System experienced an intense period of asteroid and comet impacts. Unlike Earth, where weathering, erosion, and tectonic […] The post Almost a quarter of all lunar ejecta eventually hits Earth appeared…

Solar wind might make water on the moon, study says

Data visualization of the sun as seen from Apollo 16’s lunar landing site. A new experiment, using moon dust collected on the Apollo 17 mission, has found evidence that the sun’s solar wind could produce water on the moon’s surface. Image via NASA/ Ernie Wright. The solar wind is a stream of charged particles constantly flowing out from the sun into the solar system. Scientists have long thought these particles could trigger the production of w…