In a groundbreaking discovery, Chinese scientists have identified water molecules in a lunar sample returned by the Chang’e-5 mission, offering new insights into the moon’s composition and potential resources.
The research team from the Institute of Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences unveiled a new type of mineral within the lunar sample, which contains water in its molecular structure. This mineral is characterized by up to six molecules of crystalline water, a significant finding that deepens our understanding of lunar geology.
While evidence of water or water ice on the moon has been suggested in the past, primarily in the form of hydroxyl groups, this discovery marks the first identification of hydrated minerals with substantial water content. According to the study published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the water molecules account for as much as 41 percent of the sample’s mass.
“This finding reveals that the moon may hold more water than previously thought, which could have profound implications for future lunar exploration and utilization,” the research team stated.
The Chang’e-5 mission, named after the Chinese moon goddess, successfully brought back lunar samples in December 2020, marking China’s first sample-return mission. The mission has provided scientists with invaluable material to study the moon’s formation, evolution, and potential resources.
The presence of water on the moon not only challenges existing theories about its dry nature but also opens possibilities for in-situ resource utilization, which is crucial for sustained human presence and exploration activities on the lunar surface.
As researchers continue to analyze the Chang’e-5 samples, further discoveries are anticipated, shedding light on the moon’s history and its potential to support future missions.
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Chinese scientists discover water molecules in Chang'e-5 moon sample
cgtn.com
