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The existence of water on the moon is nothing new. NASA and Indian missions have found signs of it before. However, while examining the soil with their lunar probe, Chinese scientists have discovered something unprecedented.
Chinese scientists have identified water in glass beads on the surface of the moon. This is the first time molecular water (H2O) has been identified in physical samples. It has been obtained from a lunar region that was previously thought to have no such water.
Researchers examined samples from China’s Chang’e-5 mission, which landed on the moon in 2020. They discovered a tiny, transparent crystal called ULM-1. This new lunar mineral, detailed in a study published in Nature Astronomy on July 16, is about the width of a human hair, CNN reported.
The crystals contain about 41% water. The ammonia present in the crystals helps keep the water molecules stable despite the extreme temperature changes on the moon.
Scientists have indicated that this water could be useful for life on the moon. The discovery is part of China’s broader effort to be a leader in space exploration. It also plans to build a base on the moon. Chinese social media users celebrated the study and considered the space program a matter of national pride.
‘Attractive’ search
“The discovery of hydrated minerals at the Chang’e-5 landing site is fascinating and will further our understanding of the lunar crust and rock-vapor reactions on the lunar surface,” CNN quoted David A. Kring as saying.
Kring is the lead scientist at the Texas-based Lunar and Planetary Institute. He was not involved in the study.
According to planetary geologist Yuqi Qian, three types of water exist on the moon. These include water molecules (H2O), ice (its solid form) and hydroxyl, which is chemically similar to water. The geologist from the University of Hong Kong did not participate in the study that revealed this information.
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