“Significant Amount” of Water Found on Moon

Anthony Colaprete, a project scientist from NASA’s Ames Research Center, recently announced that a “significant amount” of water had been found on the moon. On October 9, 2009, the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) crashed into the lunar south pole of the moon in a crater called Cabeus. The crash created a plume of debris. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) collected data from the impact. Scientists then analyzed this data. Preliminary data from spectrographic instruments discovered evidence of water ice (or frozen water) on the moon. Based on the data, scientists estimated about 100 kilograms of water, the equivalent of about a dozen 2 gallon buckets, was present in the impact area. Scientists were impressed by the amount of water found in the small 20 meter impact crater. Experts believe that discovery of water on the moon is a major discovery because the water ice on the moon could be melted and cleaned to drink or be used to extract hydrogen for rocket fuel. Since NASA plans to send astronauts back to the moon in 2020 for extended missions, the presence of water on the moon will be a valuable asset to them.

In my opinion the discovery of water ice on the moon will have a great impact on the exploration of the moon. The water ice detected on the moon could be used for drinking water or in making rocket fuel. The discovery of water on the moon could mean that the moon may be able to sustain life one day. This could lead to the establishment of lunar bases.

Reference:

http://www.livescience.com/space/091113-lcross-moon-crash-water-discovery.html

By:

greendragon