Research conducted by scientist Shuai Li, from the University of Hawaii, described in an article published this month in the journal Natural astronomysays ice on the Moon could be related to Earth’s magnetic field and electron waves arriving there indirectly from our planet and the Sun.
According to the study, this could even explain the presence of water in areas that are always in the shade, where sunlight never reaches.
When solar winds reach the Earth’s magnetosphere, they form a sort of magnetic “tail”, within which almost 99% of highly charged particles are trapped.
This ends up contributing to weathering processes on the Moon’s surface as it orbits the Earth and passes through this layer. This protects it from charged particles and allows sunlight to reach its surface.
Until then it was believed that hydrogen ions coming from the solar wind were mainly responsible for the formation of water on the Moon, but according to new research, the process occurs even when our natural satellite is protected from the direct influence of solar winds. .
This could indicate that high-energy electrons play a crucial role in the lunar soil, releasing hydrogen, which combines to form water.
Further observations and experiments on site are needed to confirm this theory, which could revolutionize human understanding of water on the Moon.
The greatest significance of the existence of water ice trapped in lunar rocks is that it can be mined and used to support a permanent human presence there.
According to NASA, harvesting this resource is critical not only because it will help keep future human explorers of the Moon alive, but also because water ice can be broken down into its constituents hydrogen and oxygen, the main components of fuel for missiles, allowing spacecraft to fill their tanks outside Earth.
The post Water on the Moon: Study brings new theory on ice formation on lunar surface appeared first on Olhar Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
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