MOSCOW, Mar 28 Scientists have discovered a new renewable source of water in samples brought from the Moon by the Chinese mission in 2020, according to a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience .
«According to our direct measurements of the lunar surface water reservoir, impact glass beads can store a significant amount of water obtained from the solar wind on the Moon,» the authors explain.
According to the Associated Press, the water was trapped in tiny glassy luminous granules of lunar mud, formed during collisions with meteorites. In total, scientists studied 32 granules, the size of which is from one to several hairs in width. When colliding with hydrogen molecules in the solar wind, the pellets can continuously release water.
According to researchers, there are billions, if not trillions, of such impact particles, but it will not be easy to extract them.
«Yes, we need a huge amount of glass granules. But, on the other hand, there are a huge amount of granules on the moon,» one of the participants in the study, Hejiu Hui from Nanjing University, told the agency.
Scientists believe that future robotic missions may be able to produce water by heating pellets, but it remains to be seen whether it is safe to drink.