Scientists have found strong evidence that the Moon may contain huge amounts of water in its structure. This fact could be very useful for future studies of the lunar surface.
The scientific study was conducted by scientists from Brown University in Rhode Island and published in Nature Geoscience. Scientists have been studying the process of water being trapped in volcanic glass across the lunar surface. The remains of lunar volcanism go back billions of years.
“The historical view was that the Moon was a completely dry planet,” said study lead author Ralph Milliken. “But we continue to recognize that this is not the case, and in fact the planet may be much more similar to Earth in terms of the presence of water and other volatile gases.”
Previous scientific works
Previous studies used samples from the Apollo 15 and 17 missions in 1971 and 1972 to study water on the Moon.
In 2008, scientists discovered trace amounts of water in some of the volcanic glass beads. It was assumed that the Moon might be wet.
Even small volumes of water on the Moon would be enough to create significant deposits of volcanic glass. When lava forms at incredible speed, its molecular structure does not have time to rebuild itself into a “normal” rocky body and instead transforms into glass. Small drops of lava thrown into the air tend to turn glassy, but sudden cooling in water has the same effect.
While previous studies focused on samples brought back by Apollo, this latest scientific study instead used satellite data collected by India's lunar orbiter Chandarayaan-1. By studying the light reflected from the surface of the Moon, researchers were able to find out what kind of minerals were present on it.
Structure of water on the Moon
In almost all of the large pyroclastic deposits on the surface of the Moon, which is a rocky planet made up of volcanic eruptions, researchers have found evidence of water in the form of volcanic glass beads. This suggests that parts of the Moon's mantle may contain as much water as Earth does.
“The water we detect could be either OH (the mineral hydroxide) or H2O, but we suspect it is primarily OH,” stated scientist Millikan.
The importance of discovery
It is unclear whether this water was brought to the Moon by comets or asteroids, or may have already been present in its structure. What is interesting is that it can be obtained much more easily than frozen in ice at the poles. Water can be extracted from the granules by heating them to high temperatures.
“Anything that helps relieve future lunar explorers from having to use a lot of water from home is a big step forward, and our findings open up a new alternative for humanity,” study co-author Shuai Li said in a statement.
Not long ago, scientists from NASA discovered water molecules located in the polar regions of the Moon.
Water has been detected by three different spacecraft in quantities that exceed predicted levels. However, the water that was found there is still not too much. In addition, hydroxyl groups and molecules consisting of oxygen atoms and hydrogen atoms have been found in the lunar soil.
The observations were carried out through NASA's Lunar Mineralogical Mapper, which is installed on board the Indian Space Research Administration's Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft. The discovery was confirmed by two of NASA's Cassini probes, as well as Epoxy. One of the young lunar craters was examined by a mineralogical lunar cartographer. The image shows fossils in blue that are abundant in water.
Jim Green, director of planetary science at NASA headquarters, notes that for many years, scientists have considered water ice on the Moon to be something of a Holy Grail that everyone is trying to find. The discovery was made thanks to the international cooperation of the Indian Office and NASA.
The modern spectrometer, confidently sitting in its lunar orbit, measured the light that is reflected from the surface of the Moon in the infrared spectrum. At the same time, the spectral colors of the lunar surface were split into rather small component parts in order to provide scientists with a new level of detail in the composition of the surface. Next, the data obtained was analyzed by a group of researchers at M3. After analysis, it was discovered that the spectra absorb reflected light in a way that is typical for water molecules, as well as hydroxyl groups.
However, when talking about water on the Moon, you should not imagine lakes, or even puddles. In this case, we mean hydroxyl groups and water molecules, which directly interact with molecules from rocks, as well as dust, which are located in the upper layer of the lunar surface. The thickness of such a layer does not exceed several millimeters.
The M3 team discovered water molecules and hydroxyl groups, not in one, but in many different areas illuminated by the Sun. Scientists had previously assumed the presence of water molecules on the Moon, back in 1999, which followed from data obtained from the Cassini spacecraft, which flew over the Moon at low altitude. However, those data are still not published.
To a greater extent, signs of the presence of water appear at high, cold latitudes of the Moon, in places closer to the poles of the satellite.
Although the presence of water on the Moon has been established, it is still difficult to say in what quantity. There is only an assumption that the soil of the Moon may contain about 1000 millionths of water molecules. To put it simply, if you collect one ton of lunar soil, you can squeeze 32 ounces of water out of it.
In order to confirm the data obtained, scientists turned to the mission of the Epoka apparatus. The device flew over the Moon in June 2009, following the comet Hartley 2. The meeting with the comet was planned for November 2010. Epoki was able not only to confirm the data received from other devices VIMS (stands for Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) and M3, but also brought them additional information, and was able to expand them. The data from all the devices are well consistent with each other, as described by Roger Clark, a scientist working in the geological survey department located in Denver.
Jessica Sunshay said that Epoxy has photography capabilities in a fairly wide spectral range. The pictures were taken over the north pole of the Moon. Scientists were able to determine the distribution of hydroxyl groups and water in the form of temperature, composition, time of day and latitude.
Ms. Sunshine herself holds the position of deputy chief in the group for research into cosmic space using the Epoxy spacecraft. In addition, Sunshine is a scientist in the M3 research group. According to her, the analysis unconditionally confirms the presence of water molecules on the surface of the Moon. In addition, most of the lunar surface appears to be subject to hydration during at least some of the daily period on the Moon.
However, the new discovery, as one might expect, gives rise to a number of new questions, for example, where do lunar molecules come from? What effect will water molecules have on lunar mineralogy, in general? Consequently, such questions will be the subject of study for scientists for many years to come.
New analyzes from two lunar missions provide evidence that water on the Moon is very widespread across the surface and is not limited to a specific area or type of landscape. It turns out that it is on both the day and night sides, but is not easily accessible.
These results could help researchers understand the origins of water on our moon and how easily it can be used as a resource. If the Moon contains enough water, and if it is easily accessible, future explorers might be able to use it for drinking water and even convert it into hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel, or simply oxygen for breathing.
“We found that no matter what time of day or what latitude we look at, the signal indicating the presence of water is always present. The presence of water is independent of surface composition,” Joshua Bandfield, a senior scientist at the Colorado Institute of Space Studies and lead author of the study published in Nature Geoscience.
These results contradict some earlier studies that suggested that more water would be present at the Moon's polar latitudes, and that the strength of the water signal waxes and wanes according to the lunar cycle, which is 29.5 Earth days. Putting these two theories together, it is possible to hypothesize that water molecules may move across the lunar surface until they become coldly trapped in the permanently shadowed areas of craters near the North and South Pole. In planetary science, a cold trap is an area, in this case on the Moon, so cold that water vapor and other volatiles that come into contact with the surface remain stable for long periods of time, perhaps up to several billion years.
Moon. Source: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
There is still heated debate about whether such studies were conducted correctly. The main information came from remote sensing instruments, which are able to measure the strength of sunlight reflected from the lunar surface. If water is present, the instruments take a spectral response at a wavelength of 3 microns, which is beyond visible light in the infrared.
But the surface of the Moon may simply become hot enough to begin to emit its own light in the infrared range. The challenge is to disentangle this mixture of reflected and emitted light, and to do this, researchers must have very precise temperature information.
Bandfield and his colleagues came up with a new way to determine this temperature, creating a detailed model from measurements taken by the Diviner instrument on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). This model was applied to previously collected data from the Visible-Infrared Lunar Mineralogical Mapper installed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on India's Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbiter.
New discoveries of widespread and relatively stationary water suggest that on the Moon it may be present primarily as OH, a more reactive relative of H2O that consists of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom. This compound is called hydroxyl and is very unstable, it quickly combines with other molecules, so it must be extracted from minerals in order to be used.
“By placing some constraints on how mobile water, or hydroxyl, is on the lunar surface, we can estimate the amount of water that managed to reach the cold traps in the polar regions,” said Michael Poston of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas.
Understanding what is happening on the Moon should help researchers understand the sources of water and the places in which it can be stored for many millennia, not only on our satellite, but on all bodies of the Solar System. Experts are still busy debating what the study says about the source of lunar water. What they indicate is that OH or H2O is created by the solar wind bombarding the surface of the Moon, although the team does not completely deny that water could come from the Moon itself. slowly being released from the depths of the mineral deposits in which it has been locked since the formation of our satellite.
“Some of these scientific problems are very, very difficult to understand, and only by drawing on the resources of other missions will we be able to get answers to our questions,” John Keller of the Goddard Space Flight Center.
Scientists studying rock pieces brought back by astronauts have found that the Moon formed about 4.6 billion years ago, when one small planet crashed into the early Earth and broke into millions of pieces. But is this really so, and what other secrets does the lunar surface hide? Read this article.
The Moon is the fifth largest satellite in the solar system, the second in density, and the only satellite of our planet. It is the brightest object in our sky after the Sun, although the lunar surface is dark and more like coal. The knowledge of these facts since ancient times has made the Moon an important cultural object for study, art and mythology.
Origin of the satellite
Any theory explaining the origin of the Moon must explain the following facts:
The Moon's low density indicates that it does not have a heavy iron core like the Earth.
There are completely different minerals on the Moon and on Earth.
The Moon does not have such a high concentration of iron as the Earth.
The satellite contains uranium 236 and neptunium 237, which are not found on our planet.
The relative abundances of oxygen isotopes on Earth and the Moon are identical, suggesting that the two planets were created at the same distance from the Sun.
Taking into account all these subtleties, scientists today put forward three theories of the formation of the Moon. All these hypotheses cannot be discounted.
The theory of division. This theory suggests that the Moon was once part of the Earth and somehow separated from it at the very beginning of the history of the solar system. The most popular option for the place where the Moon originated is the Pacific Ocean basin. This theory would be considered possible, if not for several BUTs.. Firstly, in this case, the Earth could separate the Moon from the outer layers. Secondly, the two planets must have the same fossils. But this is not so.
Capture Theory. This theory implies that the Moon originated somewhere else on the solar planet and only then was captured by the Earth's gravitational field. This would explain the difference in the chemical composition of the two planets. However, in reality, the Earth's orbit could only capture the Moon if the satellite slowed down for several hours at the right time. Scientists do not want to believe in such “fine tuning.” And there is no definite evidence for this theory.
Condensation Theory suggests that the Moon formed from solar system condensation in Earth's orbit. However, if this is the case, the satellite should have almost the same composition, including the iron core. This is not the case.
There is another theory that scientists today accept as the only correct one. This is the giant impact theory. In the mid-1970s, scientists proposed a new scenario for the formation of the Moon. In their opinion, 4.5 billion years ago, a planetesimal (minor planet) crashed into the Earth, which was just beginning its formation, and immediately broke up into several parts. It was from these fragments that the Moon was later formed.
Be that as it may, scientists have a lot of work to do to completely confirm or refute this or that theory. It seems that all this will take a long time. But science representatives have already found an answer to their other question related to the Earth’s satellite. Here he is.
Is there water on the Moon?
Three space satellites have confirmed that there is water on the satellite. It is not found in craters or underground, as previously thought. The data obtained show that water exists in a diffuse form across the entire surface of the Moon. Research has also shown that there may be a cyclical nature of water on the Moon - its molecules are either destroyed or re-created.
This is not due to ice sheets or frozen lakes: the amount of water in the area is not much more than in a desert on Earth. But there is still more of it than previously thought. Recall that the Moon was considered dry after the completion of the Apollo program. Then the astronauts brought with them samples of lunar rocks. Moon rocks were analyzed for the presence of water, and it was found.
Only scientists at that time believed that the water was of terrestrial origin, as several containers containing rocks leaked. And only new studies have shown that there is still water on the Moon. According to scientists, it can appear both on the lunar surface itself and in space, and then hit the satellite with the help of comets or the solar wind.
Scientists have no doubt that the lunar surface is much wetter than previously thought. They have no doubts about anything else. Namely, why one side of the Moon is not visible from Earth.
The cavity of one of the sides of the Moon - myth or reality?
Explaining why one side is constantly hidden from the human eye is actually quite simple. This is due to the fact that the rotation of the Moon around its axis coincides with the speed of rotation around the Earth. If its rotation speed had been different, we would have seen both sides of the lunar surface. Something else is interesting here.
In the early 1960s, some scientists claimed that the Moon was hollow. This belief was based on the data that the average cavity of the Earth's satellite is 3.34 g per cm cubed, and that of the Earth is 5.5 g per cm cubed. Nobel chemist Dr. Harold Urey stated that the main reason for the reduced density is the cavity of the Moon. And Carl Sagan said: “A natural satellite cannot be a hollow object.” Is the Moon really an artificial satellite?
Most likely no. Inside, the Moon has almost the same structure as the Earth - a crust, an upper and inner mantle, a molten outer core and a crystalline inner core. At least, that’s what a NASA aerospace engineer who has studied this planet for more than 15 years thinks.
Famous scientists deny rumors about the cavity of the Moon, although, as can be seen in the photo, it is far from round. And they immediately talk about another topic that has worried them for many millennia.
Is there life on the Moon?
We can immediately say that astronauts who have visited the lunar surface believe that life in the form familiar to us cannot exist there. Because there are no necessary conditions for it. There is no atmosphere and, as a result, no air. There are no seas, no rivers, no oceans. Water itself exists, but it is present only in the form of molecules. The temperature ranges from -260 to +260 degrees. And more than half of the Moon is occupied by a huge black lifeless desert, in which not a single living creature could survive.
However, there is also a discrepancy here. If there is no life on the Moon, then why have the researchers themselves, for many decades now, claimed to have seen strange objects on the lunar surface - pyramids and towers with a glass dome, unusual moving lights and other alien artifacts? Do photographs taken by satellites sent from Earth confirm their words?
Is it correct to compare the physical properties of the Moon and the Earth? After all, life can arise anywhere. After all, that flower can bloom where it would seem there are no conditions for its flowering. For example, in the desert, where it rains very rarely and the heat exceeds all imaginable limits.
By the way, if there is still no life on the Moon now, then there is a chance that life will appear on it quite soon. After all, many scientists are already thinking about creating colony-settlements there in which people could live. According to scientists, this is necessary for a more accurate study of our closest neighbor.
But it's not just scientists who are concerned about the Moon. Since ancient times, ordinary people have connected their lives with it. Having created a lunar calendar based on our observations of lunar cycles, we try to stick to it. And it’s impossible to count how many myths and legends have been created. And here are some of them.
Myths associated with the Moon
The moon is a powerful natural force. If you leave the house at night when the full moon is shining in the sky, you can understand how magical and amazing it is. For a long time, people have made the mysterious satellite of the Earth the central figure of many of their legends and myths, the most popular of which are:
Chang'e. There is a Chinese myth about a woman who lived on the moon. She and her husband were immortal beings until the gods became angry at their bad behavior and turned them into ordinary mortal people, relocating them to Earth. Later, they tried again to become immortal with the help of medicine, but Changye became too greedy and took more than she should. As a result, their flight ended long before the Moon; they were simply stuck in time.
Selena/Moon. These are the names of the Moon goddess in Greek and Roman mythology. In myths, she is most often associated with the sun god, who travels across the sky throughout the day. Selene is considered a passionate goddess, capable of inducing passionate desires in people.
Werewolves. One of the creatures that we see in films and which is depicted in many myths and legends is the werewolf. This creature is of course associated with the full moon. These creatures are believed to have a human form during the day, but transform into a wolf as soon as the full moon occurs.
Of course, these are not all the legends and myths that are associated with the Moon. These are just small examples. After all, as you know, the Earth’s satellite is associated not only with mystical stories, but is also a symbol of change, love, fertility, passion, violence and desire. The moon presents us with many mysteries. Will we ever be able to find answers to all the questions we have? As they say, we'll wait and see.
Tweets about the Chaun Marcus universe
29. Is there water on the Moon?
29. Is there water on the Moon?
large dark spots on the Moon were once considered seas (maria in Latin). However, we now know that they are plains of volcanic lava.
Water cannot be on the surface of the Moon. Without an atmosphere, it would immediately boil in space. Therefore, the Moon is completely dry.
Analysis of the delivered Apollo lunar rock seemed to confirm the dry moon theory. The small amount of water found was thought to be contamination from the astronauts.
But in 2009 the Indian spacecraft Chandrayaan-1 discovered “spectral traces” of water (H 2 O) or hydroxyl (OH) on the lunar surface.
The observation was confirmed by other spacecraft: Cassini(on the way to Saturn) and Deep Impact(passing the Earth/Moon on the way to Comet Hartley).
A small amount of water was found: only 0.1% (1 liter per ton).
It was probably formed by the solar wind (hydrogen nuclei) combined with oxygen-rich minerals.
Water molecules are loosely bound to lunar rock. This means that water is slowly creeping from the lunar equator to the colder polar regions.
Moon water accumulates as ice in deep craters near the lunar poles.
Their bottom, which is in constant shadow, never feels the light of the heat of the Sun.
October 9, 2009 research space probe LCROSS crashed into the polar crater Cabeus. At least 100 kg of water was found in the plume that rose from the impact.
Water on the Moon is key to establishing a future lunar base. It is of great importance not only for drinking, but also for creating rocket fuel.
However, according to materials LCROSS lunar water does not exist in the form of large ice floes, but with an admixture of lunar soil, which creates difficulties for its extraction.
From the book The Newest Book of Facts. Volume 3 [Physics, chemistry and technology. History and archaeology. Miscellaneous] author Kondrashov Anatoly Pavlovich From the book Secrets of Space and Time author Komarov Victor From the book Drop author Geguzin Yakov Evseevich From the book Tweets about the Universe by Chaun Marcus From the book How to Understand the Complex Laws of Physics. 100 simple and fun experiments for children and their parents author Dmitriev Alexander Stanislavovich From the author's book From the author's book From the author's book From the author's bookMelt water For some reason I always greet spring drops, melting snow, and streams of melt water with sadness. The arrival of spring gives me a feeling not of the beginning of something, but of the end... I make all my plans not for the “school year” and not from New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Eve, but from melt water and
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From the author's book28. Will footprints remain on the Moon forever? No. But they will remain there for a very long time! There is no wind or rain on the Moon that could erase the traces left by the Apollo astronauts. On the other hand, it has a “rain” of cosmic micrometeorites. Micrometeorites are often
From the author's book51. Is there water on Mars? There's a lot of it. But she's all frozen. Most of the water is stored in underground ice at high latitudes. The polar caps also contain large amounts of ice. At the end of the 19th century. Giovanni Schiaparelli discovered straight lines on Mars. They were called in Italian canali,
From the author's book9 How water breaks iron For the experiment we will need: an empty tin can of Pepsi, Coke or beer. An old Russian proverb says: a drop wears away a stone. And indeed it is. When I happened to travel through deep canyons (gorges) in the mountains, I was surprised
From the author's book45 Water from fire, or Why wood crackles in a fire For the experiment we will need: ordinary matches. Have you ever lit a regular match? Surely more than once. And if I ask if you can get water by lighting a match, you will think about it. This experiment should only be done with adults,
From the author's book72 Bathyscaphe Egg, or Water from the Dead Sea For the experiment we will need: a tall glass jar, salt, a chicken egg. This experience is described by the great master of experiments Ya.I. Perelman, but I included it in my experiments, changing it a little, because the experiment is very simple and very good. He
From the author's book96 Water in oil, or more about emulsions For the experiment we will need: an unnecessary CD-ROM, sunflower oil. We know what emulsions are. But here is an incredibly beautiful experience that surprised even myself. It turned out by accident, but nevertheless I liked it so much that I decided