Astronomy
The recent climax of NASA's LCROSS (Luner Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) mission resulted in giant impacts on the Moon. Although they had caused public outrage due to the media's use of the word "bomb" to describe the impacts, the mission's results are now showing the presence of water on the Moon. This finding confirms and presents a new face to the one made earlier from the data gathered by ISRO's Chandrayaan-1 mission.
The impacts created by LCROSS knocked up dust into space from the bottom of the Cabeus crater, dust that had not been exposed to sunlight for many billions of years. Despite the disappointment from the lack of a spectacular view of the impact as seen from the EArth, the mission has been a huge success. The spacecraft collected a large amount of data from the initial impact using its onboard spectrometers, which analyzed the light emitted or absorbed by the ejected materials. The impact spectra matched up with the near-infrared spectral signature of water. Additionally, in the ultraviolet spectrum, further confirmation of the presence of water came from the spectral signature of hydroxyl, a product from the breaking up of water by sunlight.
And the water found from the impacts is no small amount. The 60 to 100 feet wide hole dug out by the impact is believed is believed to have contained over 26 gallons of water. Yet water is not believed to be the only interesting molecule found. Current analysis suggests other substances on the Moon, like carbon-based molecules, but the work to confirm this has not yet been completed.
The discovery does not simply add to our understanding of the Moon; it also tells us about the origins and the evolution of the solar system as well. The water, billions of years old, may reveal data about the past and present composition of the solar system, and that water may be very widespread. Plus, future manned lunar exploration may depend on these sources of water.
Update: Google has a Google Doodle to mark this finding of water on the Moon. If only the real LCROSS impacts were this spectacular...
Image: Google
Astronomy and Space Celebrates International Year of Astronomy 2009.
- Does Moon Water Comes In Three Flavours ?
There has been surprise discovery of water in Moon . Now the scientists are saying that the water present in Moon's surface comes in three flavours ! According to the findings of Chandrayaan -1 , NASA's Mini-SAR team has found 40 craters which...
- Water Found On Moon Surface
My earlier post was Was moon bombing a success now LCROSS team has successfully found water on permanently shadowed lunar crater . The team was able to observe 25 liters of water with spectroscopic telescope. The team has also found some components such...
- Water Molecules On Lunar Surface
NASA scientists have discovered water molecules in the polar regions of the moon. Water molecules are greater than predicted , but still relatively small. Hydroxyl, a molecule consisting of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom, also was found in the...
- Chandrayaan Likely To Join U.s Spacecraft For Water Probe
India's Chandrayaan-I probe will be joining two U.S spacecraft to be launched this year in looking for water on the Moon. NASA plans to launch the Lunar Reconnaissance (LRO)as well as the Lunar Crater Observation an Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) on an...
- Water Molecules Discovered On The Moon
Distribution of water-rich minerals around a fresh crater. Image: ISRO/NASA The data from three separate spacecrafts have found signs of water molecules on the Moon, more than what has been predicted in the past. In addition hydroxyl (OH, in contrast...
Astronomy
LCROSS Confirms Water on the Moon
The recent climax of NASA's LCROSS (Luner Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) mission resulted in giant impacts on the Moon. Although they had caused public outrage due to the media's use of the word "bomb" to describe the impacts, the mission's results are now showing the presence of water on the Moon. This finding confirms and presents a new face to the one made earlier from the data gathered by ISRO's Chandrayaan-1 mission.
The impacts created by LCROSS knocked up dust into space from the bottom of the Cabeus crater, dust that had not been exposed to sunlight for many billions of years. Despite the disappointment from the lack of a spectacular view of the impact as seen from the EArth, the mission has been a huge success. The spacecraft collected a large amount of data from the initial impact using its onboard spectrometers, which analyzed the light emitted or absorbed by the ejected materials. The impact spectra matched up with the near-infrared spectral signature of water. Additionally, in the ultraviolet spectrum, further confirmation of the presence of water came from the spectral signature of hydroxyl, a product from the breaking up of water by sunlight.
And the water found from the impacts is no small amount. The 60 to 100 feet wide hole dug out by the impact is believed is believed to have contained over 26 gallons of water. Yet water is not believed to be the only interesting molecule found. Current analysis suggests other substances on the Moon, like carbon-based molecules, but the work to confirm this has not yet been completed.
The discovery does not simply add to our understanding of the Moon; it also tells us about the origins and the evolution of the solar system as well. The water, billions of years old, may reveal data about the past and present composition of the solar system, and that water may be very widespread. Plus, future manned lunar exploration may depend on these sources of water.
Update: Google has a Google Doodle to mark this finding of water on the Moon. If only the real LCROSS impacts were this spectacular...
Image: Google
Astronomy and Space Celebrates International Year of Astronomy 2009.
- Does Moon Water Comes In Three Flavours ?
There has been surprise discovery of water in Moon . Now the scientists are saying that the water present in Moon's surface comes in three flavours ! According to the findings of Chandrayaan -1 , NASA's Mini-SAR team has found 40 craters which...
- Water Found On Moon Surface
My earlier post was Was moon bombing a success now LCROSS team has successfully found water on permanently shadowed lunar crater . The team was able to observe 25 liters of water with spectroscopic telescope. The team has also found some components such...
- Water Molecules On Lunar Surface
NASA scientists have discovered water molecules in the polar regions of the moon. Water molecules are greater than predicted , but still relatively small. Hydroxyl, a molecule consisting of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom, also was found in the...
- Chandrayaan Likely To Join U.s Spacecraft For Water Probe
India's Chandrayaan-I probe will be joining two U.S spacecraft to be launched this year in looking for water on the Moon. NASA plans to launch the Lunar Reconnaissance (LRO)as well as the Lunar Crater Observation an Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) on an...
- Water Molecules Discovered On The Moon
Distribution of water-rich minerals around a fresh crater. Image: ISRO/NASA The data from three separate spacecrafts have found signs of water molecules on the Moon, more than what has been predicted in the past. In addition hydroxyl (OH, in contrast...