Researchers have detected water and hydroxyl across the entire surface of the Moon using data from NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper instrument aboard India’s Chandrayaan-1 mission. These molecules were discovered in polar regions and also in areas exposed to direct sunlight.
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Despite the Moon’s dry and barren appearance, it harbors quantities of water, albeit not in liquid form. The water on the Moon exists in minerals, ice deposits and as hydroxyl in the lunar regolith (the loose layer of dust and rock covering the surface).
Previous studies had identified that water might be present in deep lunar craters at high latitudes where sunlight never reaches. This study expands on that finding revealing that water is also present in rocks and minerals across the Moon.
Hydroxyl is formed when the solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the Sun interacts with oxygen atoms in the Moon’s surface minerals.
The solar wind deposits hydrogen, which bonds with oxygen present in silicate minerals to create hydroxyl. This process occurs even in regions directly exposed to sunlight.
The researchers found variations in water abundance across different lunar terrains. The dark mare consisting of basaltic rocks, had lower concentrations of water and hydroxyl compared to the lighter anorthosites of the lunar highlands.
Previous studies focused on the Moon’s polar regions, where ice is preserved in permanently shadowed craters. These regions were thought to be the only areas with water deposits.
However, data from the M3 instrument on Chandrayaan-1 has confirmed the presence of water molecules even in areas exposed to sunlight.
Water is locked within lunar minerals in anorthosite-rich regions, spreading across various geological features. This means water exists not only at the poles but also in areas that receive direct sunlight.
Alongside water molecules (H2O), hydroxyl molecules (OH) were also discovered across the lunar surface. Hydroxyl consists of one oxygen atom bonded to one hydrogen atom, plays a crucial role in forming water.
Hydroxyl forms when solar wind, streams of charged particles from the Sun, interacts with lunar surface minerals. Protons from the solar wind combine with oxygen atoms to create hydroxyl molecules.
Unlike liquid water, hydroxyl is more stable and can persist on the Moon for millions of years. These molecules are across the lunar surface.
The discovery of water and hydroxyl changes the strategies for future lunar exploration. Previously, astronauts would have needed to rely heavily on the polar regions to access water particularly from ice deposits in shadowed craters.
With water-rich minerals found across the Moon, even near the equator, future missions could exploit these resources without needing to transport water from the poles to other locations.
The ability to access water in regions closer to the lunar equator could reduce the logistical challenges and costs associated with lunar exploration.
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Water on the Moon is found in the form of molecules locked inside minerals like anorthosites, which are abundant in the lunar highlands. The M3 instrument identified these water-rich minerals in regions that were previously thought to be dry.
By heating these rocks, future astronauts may be able to release the trapped water molecules. This process, though energy-intensive could provide a water supply for lunar settlements.
The ability to access lunar water is crucial for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), a strategy for sustainable space exploration. Water can be used not only for drinking and producing oxygen but also for generating hydrogen and oxygen, which can be used as fuel for rockets.
The discovery of water and hydroxyl across the Moon suggests that future lunar missions could become more self-sufficient reducing the need to transport large quantities of water from Earth.
The presence of hydroxyl molecules across the lunar surface provides new insights into the Moon’s geological history. Some of the hydroxyl found on the surface likely originated from volcanic activity and cratering events that brought water-rich materials to the surface over time.
This discovery also helps scientists understand how the Moon interacts with the solar wind and its potential for hosting water resources.
The discovery of water and hydroxyl molecules was made possible by NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3), which was aboard the Chandrayaan-1 mission, the first Indian mission to the Moon.
M3 used infrared spectroscopy to scan the Moon’s surface, analyzing the reflected sunlight to detect the spectral signatures of water and hydroxyl.
The data was collected between 2008 and 2009, revealed that water-related molecules are spread across the Moon.
The research also highlights the role of lunar volcanism in distributing water. Volcanic eruptions bring water-rich materials from the Moon’s interior to the surface.
Pyroxene exhibited changes in its water signature based on sunlight angles, which led to previous confusion about water movement on the Moon.
The researchers found that these regions are water-poor, which could provide clues about their origin. It’s hypothesized that these swirls may be linked to magnetic anomalies, but their exact cause remains unclear.
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