NASA confirms there is water scattered across the Moon

It may not seem like significant news but, for science, it is.

No, the Moon is not made of cheese.

Researchers say there is more water on the Moon’s surface than initially thought, now considered a scientific breakthrough as NASA aims to send humans to the lunar surface through the Artemis program.

The new research published Monday suggests water is indeed scattered across the Moon’s surface, including in areas exposed to direct sunlight and in tiny pockets cast in permanent shade.

The first paper revealed it’s mainly H2O that exists on the lunar surface, rather than hydroxyl. That means the Moon is a lot more damp than scientists thought.

https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine/status/1320757460269895680

In a second paper published in Nature Astronomy, researchers conclude that hidden pockets of frozen water are also more common on the Moon than previously suspected.

For many years, scientists have conceived that frozen water, or water in general, exists on the Moon, specifically at its poles. But Monday’s new research provides the most definitive evidence yet.

Future missions to the Moon, such as landing the first woman and man near the south lunar pole by 2024, could reveal more information to back this.