Discovery of traces of water in lunar soil by Chang’e-5 mission

Source- This post on the Discovery of traces of water in lunar soil by Chang’e-5 mission has been created based on the article “Chinese scientists find traces of water in lunar soil brought by Chang’e-5 mission” published in “Indian Express” on 25 July 2024.

Chinese scientists have discovered water molecules in lunar soil samples brought back by the Chang’e-5 mission.

About the Discovery

1. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and other institutions found a hydrated mineral in the lunar soil.

2. This mineral, containing molecular water, was isolated and identified as a plate-like transparent crystal named “unknown lunar mineral” (ULM-1).  The study ruled out contamination from Earth or rocket exhaust.

Background

1. The Chang’e-5 mission is China’s first lunar sample-return mission which collected lunar soil in 2020.

2. Previous missions, including India’s Chandrayaan-1 in 2009 was detected signs of water in the form of hydrated minerals.

Significance

1. The discovery adds to the understanding of water on the Moon, initially detected by NASA in 2020 in the Clavius crater.

2. Previous studies lacked samples from high latitude and polar regions, leaving the origin and chemical form of lunar hydrogen undetermined.

Future Research

1. Chinese scientists isolated over 1,000 mineral clasts, suggesting more water-bearing minerals could be found.

2. The Chang’e-6 mission, which returned to Earth with 2kg of lunar material from the Moon’s far side, is expected to provide more insights.

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