Water on the moon Human curiosity has been captured for decades. Scientists have long been surprised by the presence of water on the moon, a drought and inhuman location. Now, a new study led by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center gives strong evidence that the Sun can help make it. This idea seems surprising, but it makes sense when you consider a continuous stream of charged particles that send to the Sun Space. These particles interact with the moon surface in ways that can actually produce water. This discovery can change the future Lunar exploration By making the moon’s soil a valuable resource.
How can the sun make water
This idea seems strange, but it is surprisingly simple. The sun explodes the solar system with a stream of continuous charging particles solar windThese particles, mainly made of hydrogen protons, hit the dusty surface of the moon, known as resolith, which is completely unsafe by a magnetic field or atmosphere.
When solar air is hit, proton can catch electrons Lunar soilHydrogen atom. These hydrogen atoms then react with oxygen trapped in moon minerals such as silica, forming hydroxyl (OH) or even full water molecules.
What did scientists find in the lab
Researchers re-created this process on Earth by simulating solar air in contamination-free lab setup. Using the real lunar dust collected during NASA’s Apollo 17 mission, he bombed samples with mock solar air over a period equal to 80,000 years of lunar exposure.
Result? Using light analysis devices, he discovered a clear indication that molecules similar to water were formed on the dust of the moon. Although scientists can not yet differentiate between hydroxyl and pure water, evidence suggests that solar air plays a big role in making both.
Why is this search important
To find out how we think about resources on the moon can be made naturally in the solar air. Even if a small amount of water can be formed in this way, astronauts on future missions can be able to cut it directly with lunar soil, provide fuel for drinking water, breathable oxygen, or even rockets.
This can make the long-term human appearance on the moon too durable and depends less on expensive Earth-based supply missions.
What’s next for lunar exploration
NASA’s focus on the south pole of the Moon, an area where permanently shaded craters can trap frozen water, now seems even more important. Future mission mining can add frozen water deposits, which can use the water-making process running by the Sun.
Thanks to the groundbreaking lab work and a little lunar dust from decades ago, scientists are closer than ever to unlock the hidden resources of the moon.
and who knows? One day, the sun can not only give light to our sky – it can help fuel the next huge leap of humanity.
