New studies have found that water might be distributed across the lunar surface in more places and larger quantities than previously suspected. It could be useful for astronauts seeking refreshment or fuel in future.
Image: Richard Addis
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Two new studies published in Nature Astronomy on Monday suggest there could be much more water than previously thought, including ice stored in permanently shadowed "cold traps" at lunar polar regions.
"We announced that, for the first time, we've confirmed H2O in sunlit areas of the moon. This indicates that water might be distributed across the lunar surface," NASA tweeted on Monday from its moon-related account.
For decades the moon was thought to be bone dry. But 11 years ago, research found that water was relatively widespread in small amounts on the far side of the moon. A team of scientists is now reporting the first clear detection of water molecules in sunlit areas.
London's Royal Observatory annually selects the best photos of the universe, entered in an annual astronomy photographer competition. Ahead of the prize announcement, here's a short list.
Image: Ben Bush
A planet is born
Photographer Martin Pugh was thrilled by what he photographed with his CDK 17 telescope in Chile in May 2019. Over many clear nights, he collected data and took precise light measurements. For 23 hours, the Australian exposed swirling hydrogen and documented the birth of a new planet.
Image: Martin Pugh
Upward view in Australia
Here, the astronomer's sober gaze and the photographer's enter an artistic alliance, drawing the viewer into the Milky Way's galactic core. The Lithgow Blast Furnace building is an icon of the Australian iron and steel industry. In it, Australian Jay Evans tried out a high-resolution megapixel camera for the first time. The result was anything but disappointing.
Image: Jay Evans
Solar eclipse with Venus
These extraordinary light conditions were in the crystal-clear air on one day at the ESO Observatory in La Silla, Chile. Using a complex technique, photographer Sebastian Voltmer captured a solar eclipse in an picture that also shows a brightly-shining Venus. Ninety-six individual images were calibrated, superimposed and fused into one glorious image.
Image: Sebastian Voltmer
Northern Lights on the Lofoten Islands
This snapshot was taken by the German photographer Andreas Ettl on Norway's Lofoten Islands. The remote area below the Arctic Circle is one of the world's best places to experience a spectacular light show of the aurora borealis, as depicted in this photo, titled "Hamnoy Lights."
Image: Andreas Ettl
Capturing galactic symmetry
With impressive technical precision, Andy Casely preserved a supernatural moment with the help of a high-powered telescope. In this stunning shot taken on a summer day in 2019, the photographer captured ringed Saturn peeking out from behind the large pock-marked face of the moon.
Image: Andy Casely
The moon over London
After three failed attempts, British photographer Mathew Browne finally succeeded in taking this somewhat eerie photo of the full moon in the British capital. Like a scene from Batman's Gotham City, the moon shines brightly from behind the jagged facade of the Shard skyscraper. The photographer only had a few minutes to take this special shot.
Image: Mathew Browne
Arctic dance of color
Stunning natural phenomena make it easy for photographers in the Icelandic region on the edge of the Arctic Circle to capture a good shot. But professional nature photographer Ben Bush takes it to the next level in this breathtaking picture awash in green light. To take this picture, Bush kneeled at the shore of the Atlantic Ocean at a temperature of #6 degrees C (-17 Fahrenheit).
Image: Ben Bush
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Drinking water, rocket fuel
More than 15,400 square miles (40,000 square kilometers) of lunar terrain have the capability to trap water in the form of ice, according to the University of Colorado's Paul Hayne, who led the team of scientists. That area is roughly 20% larger than previous estimates, he said, adding that temperatures in these so-called cold traps are as low as minus 261 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 163 degrees Celsius), meaning they could hold onto the ice for millions or even billions of years.
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Using data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, the scientists found cold traps as small as a few meters across and as wide as 18 miles (30 kilometers) and more.
The discovery raises the tantalizing prospect that astronauts on future missions could tap into these resources for drinking and making rocket fuel.
"We believe this will help expand the possible landing sites for future lunar missions seeking water, opening up real estate previously considered 'off limits' for being bone dry,'' Hayne told The Associated Press.
Co-author Casey Honniball of the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology said the water might be trapped in glass beads, or another substance that safeguards it from the harsh lunar environment. He said that if the water was found to be "abundant enough in certain locations," astronauts might be able to use it as a resource for human exploration.
Scientists believe the moon's water came from comets, asteroids, interplanetary dust, the solar wind or lunar volcanic eruptions. According to Hayne, researchers will have a better understanding of the sources "if we can get down on the surface and analyze samples of the ice."
