A team of Chinese scientists have discovered glass-like materials in soil samples brought back from the moon. These materials include hydroxyls and molecular water formed from various sources.
The study, published in the journal Science Advances, suggests that glass in the lunar soil, caused by impacting asteroids, is the main reason for the presence of water in the lunar soil.
Researchers from the Institute of Geochemistry under the Chinese Academy of Sciences examined nearly 100 samples collected during the Cheng’e 5 mission and identified 12 particles that contained hydroxyl and molecular water. .
According to the research, the water found in the particles originated from a number of possible sources, including proton implantation from the solar wind, collisions of water-rich asteroids, and local water on the moon.
The primary source of this water is the implantation of the solar wind, which highlights the importance of the role of water creation on its moon.
The findings could help researchers understand the sources and storage methods of water during the formation of geological planets.
It should be noted that the Cheng’e-5 mission returned to Earth on December 17, 2020 with 1731 grams of lunar samples, while the next mission of this chain has been sent into space this month.
#Amazing #discovery #Chinese #scientists #moon
**Interview with Dr. Li Wei, Lunar Geochemist at the Institute of Geochemistry**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Li Wei, thank you for joining us today. Your team recently made an intriguing discovery of glass-like materials and molecular water in lunar soil samples. Can you explain why this finding is significant for our understanding of the moon’s geology?
**Dr. Li Wei:** Thank you for having me. Our findings are significant as they suggest that impacts from asteroids play a crucial role in the presence of water on the moon. The identification of hydroxyls and molecular water in the lunar soil challenges previous assumptions and opens up new avenues for research into how these materials were formed and stored.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned potential sources of the water, including solar wind implantation and water-rich asteroid collisions. Which source do you believe is the most impactful based on your research?
**Dr. Li Wei:** While all sources are interesting, we found that the primary source of the water appears to be from solar wind implantation. This finding emphasizes the complexity of lunar processes and how external factors contribute to the moon’s surface chemistry.
**Interviewer:** Considering the implications of your research for understanding celestial bodies, do you believe this newfound knowledge could influence future lunar exploration strategies?
**Dr. Li Wei:** Definitely. Understanding the sources of water on the moon can inform not only future missions but also the potential for using lunar resources for long-term human presence and scientific research.
**Interviewer:** Reflecting on your research, do you think that the discovery of water on the moon might ignite debates about the potential for human habitation on lunar bases? How do you see this discussion unfolding?
**Dr. Li Wei:** Absolutely. The presence of water, even in trace amounts, is a game-changer for lunar habitation discussions. It raises questions about sustainability, resource utilization, and the feasibility of establishing a long-term human presence on the moon. Engaging in this debate will require input from various disciplines, including science, ethics, and policy.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Li, for sharing your insights. It seems we have much to explore regarding the moon’s resources and our future endeavors there.
**Question for Readers:** Given the discovery of water and hydroxyls in lunar soil, do you think this finding strengthens the case for establishing human colonies on the moon? What implications does this have for our environmental responsibilities here on Earth?
