Jump to content

NASA’s SOFIA Discovers Water on Sunlit Surface of Moon


Saxum

Recommended Posts

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-sofia-discovers-water-on-sunlit-surface-of-moon/

Quote

SOFIA has detected water molecules (H2O) in Clavius Crater, one of the largest craters visible from Earth, located in the Moon’s southern hemisphere. Previous observations of the Moon’s surface detected some form of hydrogen, but were unable to distinguish between water and its close chemical relative, hydroxyl (OH). Data from this location reveal water in concentrations of 100 to 412 parts per million – roughly equivalent to a 12-ounce bottle of water – trapped in a cubic meter of soil spread across the lunar surface. 

 

As a comparison, the Sahara desert has 100 times the amount of water than what SOFIA detected in the lunar soil. Despite the small amounts, the discovery raises new questions about how water is created and how it persists on the harsh, airless lunar surface.

Interesting although the extraction cost may be too high to practically use it.

  • Like (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

53 minutes ago, RochesterRob said:

  It would be a huge step towards colonization if humanity so desired costs be darned.

Yea cost is a non issue, whoever controls the moon will control the world. We can get a base up there easier launch capabilities for space missions and weapons.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I’m reserving judgement until I know what sitcom math has to say about all this. 

It has no data on whether control of the moon would mean control of the Earth.  It has, however, proven there are no intelligent communicative aliens on the moon.  Why would the moon be different than the rest of the universe?

  • Haha (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, dpberr said:

I recall a small arthouse film that started off with finding something at Clavius...

2001 isn't what I'd call a small arthouse film.


Had a budget of nearly $100 million (adjusted for 2020 dollars) and was a major Metro Goldwyn Mayer release.

 

Nominated for 4 academy awards, won 1.  

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, dpberr said:

I recall a small arthouse film that started off with finding something at Clavius...

 

28 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

2001 isn't what I'd call a small arthouse film.


Had a budget of nearly $100 million (adjusted for 2020 dollars) and was a major Metro Goldwyn Mayer release.

 

Nominated for 4 academy awards, won 1. 

 

Woody : Kelly's coming back from Europe today.

Frasier : Ah, she's hopping the pond.

Woody : What?

Frasier : Well, the pond. It's a reference to the Atlantic.

Woody : Why, Dr. Crane. The Atlantic is an ocean. How many of those have you had?

Frasier : Apparently, not enough.

 

  • Like (+1) 1
  • Thank you (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is OLD. A NEW topic should be started unless there is a very specific reason to revive this one.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...