It is a fact known to all of us that humanity’s space exploration continues unabated. Experts plan to make manned missions to the Moon and then to Mars in the coming years, and they want to examine our solar system in more depth.
Of course, one of the purposes of these missions is to establish colonies on the Moon and Mars and ensure a long-term existence of humans there. Now, a new study has revealed important information for astronauts by revealing whether it is possible to drink the water found on the Moon, where we plan to go in the next few years.
There may be tens of meters thick ice sheets on the Moon
The only natural satellite of the Earth and the fifth largest natural satellite of the Solar system, the Moon is ahead of the development of life on our planet. before it was filled with volcanoes. These volcanic formations spread water vapor to the surface at that time. This likely resulted in the presence of water ice in the craters we see now. A study published this week in The Planetary Science Journal also reveals that this water may be suitable for astronauts to drink.
For this, the research looked at our satellite billions of years ago. According to scientists’ models, the Moon witnessed massive volcanic eruptions every 22,000 years. You can now see these eruptions as black spots on the Moon’s surface. Scientists think these regions and volcanic activity are caused by asteroids hitting the far side of the moon. The new research also reveals that volcanoes may have caused ice sheets to form tens of meters thick around the Moon’s poles.
It can also be used for jet fuel
Paul Hayne, one of the authors of the study, said, “We think that there may be large ice sheets five or ten meters below the surface.” He stated that water on the Moon could be useful to astronauts on long-term missions. In addition to its potential to be used as drinking water, experts stated that it can also be used as jet fuel by separating the hydrogen and oxygen in the water by a process called ‘electrolysis’.
Additionally, the research argues that about 41% of the water from volcanoes may have been condensed as ice on the Moon, and reveals that we may encounter quite a lot of ice. However, it should be noted that the fact that this ice is located deep under the surface and is mostly located at the south and north poles of the Moon can make it difficult for astronauts to drink Moon water. We will see if this is possible as a result of future tasks.
Finally, let’s say there are other considerations about water ice on the Moon. Some researchers think that the ice may have arisen from water-bearing comets or asteroids, while others say it may have formed as a result of micrometeorites.
Considering that future trips to space will become much easier, new studies look very promising. Let’s see, maybe one day we can leave the house and go to the moon and drink a glass of water as if we were going to our next door neighbor.
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