A bit of water found on Moon!

William Atkins
Friday, 25 September 2009 20:31

Science - Space

The Indian spacecraft Chandrayann-1 spacecraft is orbiting about the Moon with the U.S. Moon Mineralogy Mapper instrument onboard. It found water molecules in the polar regions of the Moon, and two other NASA spacecraft confirmed the exciting discovery. Only a small amount of water was discovered, however, scientists are now optimistic that more will be found with further explorations.


NASA’s article “Water Molecules Found on the Moon,” dated September 24, 2009, reports that “NASA scientists have discovered water molecules in the polar regions of the Moon.”

The discovery was made by NASA’s Moon Mineraology Mapper (M3, or “M-cubed”), which is one of the instruments on the Indian spacecraft Chandrayaan-1.

The M3 spectrometer measured electromagnetic radiation (light) reflecting off the Moon's surface at infrared wavelengths (a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum). The scientists then divided the wavelengths absorbed by the M3 instrument, which resulted in the ability to see absorption patterns of water (H₂O) molecules and hydroxyl (-OH).

An image from the M3 instrument, showing indications of water molecules (in blue) is found within the NASA article mentioned earlier.

NASA then had its Cassini spacecraft and its Deep Impact spacecraft make confirmations of water on the Moon.

Jim Green, director of the NASA Planetary Science Division, stated, "Water ice on the Moon has been something of a holy grail for lunar scientists for a very long time. This surprising finding has come about through the ingenuity, perseverance and international cooperation between NASA and the India Space Research Organization." [NASA]

The amount of water found on the Moon is very small, on the order of molecules.

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