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A study using data collected by the Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbiter has found evidence of elevated water content in some pyroclastic deposits on the Moon:
The inside of the moon is wetter than previously thought, research suggests, opening up fresh possibilities for manned missions to the lunar landscape.
While the moon was once thought to be bone-dry, in recent years water has been found trapped in lunar volcanic glasses – material formed from magma ejected from the moon's interior. But it has remained a topic of debate just how wet the lunar innards are, with some arguing that the water content of lunar samples may not be representative of the majority of the moon's mantle – the layer beneath the crust.
Now researchers say a new analysis of satellite data has unpicked the puzzle, revealing "hotspots" of trapped water right across the moon's surface in deposits from ancient eruptions. "The lunar mantle is wetter than our previous thoughts [suggested]," said Shuai Li, co-author of the study from Brown University.
Also at Brown University, National Geographic, NPR, The Verge, and Space.com.
Remote detection of widespread indigenous water in lunar pyroclastic deposits (DOI: 10.1038/ngeo2993) (DX) (supplemental)
Here we demonstrate that, for a number of lunar pyroclastic deposits, near-infrared reflectance spectra acquired by the Moon Mineralogy Mapper instrument onboard the Chandrayaan-1 orbiter exhibit absorptions consistent with enhanced OH- and/or H2O-bearing materials. These enhancements suggest a widespread occurrence of water in pyroclastic materials sourced from the deep lunar interior, and thus an indigenous origin. Water abundances of up to 150 ppm are estimated for large pyroclastic deposits, with localized values of about 300 to 400 ppm at potential vent areas. Enhanced water content associated with lunar pyroclastic deposits and the large areal extent, widespread distribution and variable chemistry of these deposits on the lunar surface are consistent with significant water in the bulk lunar mantle. We therefore suggest that water-bearing volcanic glasses from Apollo landing sites are not anomalous, and volatile loss during pyroclastic eruptions may represent a significant pathway for the transport of water to the lunar surface.
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Tuesday July 25 2017, @04:13PM (10 children)
In fact we're soaking in it
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Tuesday July 25 2017, @04:30PM (7 children)
Sure there's lots of H2O, but is there any oxygen?
;)
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by maxwell demon on Tuesday July 25 2017, @04:51PM (5 children)
Hmmm … how does H2O differ from the more conventional H2O? ;-)
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Justin Case on Tuesday July 25 2017, @04:54PM (1 child)
Easy. H2O is up there while H2O is down here.
Also, drinking it will get you high. To the moon, potheads!
(Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Tuesday July 25 2017, @06:13PM
Already there bro... 🌳🔥👌☁🚀🌜
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 25 2017, @05:01PM
Instead of two hydrogens, it has only one, but shaped like a square.
(Score: 2) by Taibhsear on Wednesday July 26 2017, @03:33PM
Maybe it's a typo and they meant ²H₂O? (deuterium oxide)
Or maybe H¹²O⁻ (unstable superlight hydroxyl ion), H²O⁻ won't even form.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 27 2017, @01:31PM
It's a matter of the former containing square hydrogen atoms. If you've ever wondered how someone can simply be SUCH a square, chances are, they've been drinking that stuff.
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Wednesday July 26 2017, @05:54AM
Why yes, oxygen is released when two water molecules fuse into helium. Stars are made out of water, not 'simple' hydrogen, you know.
Whaddya think? Can I get it published [soylentnews.org]?
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 26 2017, @12:58AM (1 child)
Is that you, Thales of Miletus?
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Wednesday July 26 2017, @06:08AM
Oh jeeze! I swear I made the above comment before I looked that guy up.
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..