The crater slopes on the Moon that face its Poles have 23 parts-per-million-by-weight more hydrogen than its Equator-facing slopes, according to recent observations by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft. Space travelers may not have to carry water from Earth, this could be a good thing. Space travel can be extremely expensive, and it is also very difficult. A single bottle of water would run thousands of dollars to launch from Earth. NASA claims that scientists are excited about the discovery of hydrogen-bearing molecules on the Moon. These deposits, if sufficient, can be mined. NASA suggested that lunar water might be available for drinking or could contain oxygen and hydrogen, which could then be used to make rocket fuel. Moon’s Hayn Crater is located northeast of Mare Humboldtianum. The low Sun casts long shadows on the crater floor. (Image Credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University) Timothy McClanahan of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said: “There’s an average of about 23 parts-per-million-by-weight (ppmw) more hydrogen on Pole-Facing Slopes (PFS) than on Equator-Facing Slopes (EFS).” NASA says it is the first time it has detected a widespread geochemical difference in hydrogen levels between PFS and EFS on the Moon. McClanahan is the lead author on a study that was published in Icarus. NASA detected a 1% variation in neutron signals detected by LRO’s Luna Exploration Neutron Detector instrument. Hydrogen-bearing materials could be found in the form of either hydroxyl molecules, which are oxygen-bound to hydrogen molecules, or water molecules that contain two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. PFS and EFS might have hydrogen levels that are similar to Earth’s. The Sun redistributes or mobilizes frozen water from colder to warmer places. Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Image: GSFC NASA. Mr. McClanahan explained that the highest concentrations of hydrogen in PFS were found in the Moon’s southern hemisphere. They ranged from 50 to 60 degrees South latitude. On the slopes that face the lunar South Pole, the largest difference in hydrogen concentration was observed. The hydrogen levels at the large PFS close to the poles were 45ppmw. There were more signals from the slopes that could be detected than those on the sides. NASA scientists have found that PFS contain higher concentrations of hydrogen in the surrounding areas than EFS. This is contrary to EFS which are similar to their surroundings. Researchers believe that the PFS found in northern hemisphere-based craters have greater concentrations of hydrogen. To confirm their suspicions, they are gathering LEND data in the area. From where does lunar hydrogen originate? There could be many sources of hydrogen on the Moon. Hydrogen may have been brought to the Moon by comets or asteroids that carry water. The possibility of hydrogen-bearing compounds being formed by interaction with the solar wind is possible. The thin stream of hydrogen gas that is produced by solar wind comes from the Sun. The hydrogen may react with the oxygen in silicate rocks and dust on the Moon to create water and hydroxyl. Scientists believe that these molecules are energized upon reaching the Moon and bounce off the surface. These molecules eventually become stuck, at least temporarily, in colder and more darkened areas. Scientists believed 50 years ago that the Moon’s volatile materials could only be found in permanently darkened areas near its poles. LRO and several other spacecraft have observed hydrogen in the Moon that is more common than previously thought. It is not yet known if there is sufficient hydrogen to economically mine. NASA stated that the amounts they are finding are not as dry or wetter than any desert anywhere on Earth. The resolution of LEND instruments is higher than most PFS. Therefore, smaller slopes may contain significantly more hydrogen. Researchers also hope to examine whether hydrogen levels change as the day turns to night. It could be a confirmation of current evidence that the Moon has a highly active hydrogen production and cycle.
