The US space agency NASA has made an incredible discovery about the Moon. The agency has confirmed the presence of water on the Earth’s only natural satellite. It said that water is available on the sunlit surface. This is the first time when NASA has made a discovery that raises hope that water molecules may be distributed across the surface. Researchers used NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy to detect water molecules. The water molecules are present in Clavius Crater. It is one of the largest craters in the southern hemisphere of the Moon. The crater is visible from the Earth. Past studies of the Moon’s surface concluded that some form of hydrogen is present. Scientists previously thought that water was limited to cold and shadowed places on Moon.
The latest study said that crater has water in concentrations of 100 to 412 parts per million. This is equivalent to a 12-ounce bottle of water. According to NASA researchers, the Sahara desert has 100 times the amount of water than the amount of water detected on the Moon. The study said that the water on the Moon is just like humans drink on Earth every day. The discovery poses a series of questions like how water is created on Moon’s airless surface. It also questions the understanding of scientists about Moon’s surface.
NASA said that SOFIA offers scientists to look at Moon through new means. It lies at an altitude of 45,000 feet. It is a project by NASA and the US and Germany. It is a 2.5m telescope. It is the largest flying observatory in the world. It is flown on a Boeing 747-SP aircraft. Scientists said that they are yet to determine whether water is easily accessible for use. Researchers noted that without a thick atmosphere, water cannot persist on the sunlit lunar surface. They said that several forces could be behind the creation of water in Clavius Crater. They said Sun’s solar wind might have delivered hydrogen and reacted with oxygen to create hydroxyl.
