China News Service, October 27. According to a report from the US Chinese website, NASA said on the 26th that water molecules were found on the surface of the moon illuminated by the sun.

This shows that water is not only distributed in the shadows of the moon's polar regions.

However, these water molecules may not necessarily be resources. For comparison, the water content of the Sahara Desert is 100 times that of the lunar soil detected this time.

Image source: Screenshot of the official account of NASA's social networking site

  According to reports, NASA found water molecules in Kravis Crater.

Kravis Crater is one of the largest craters visible from the earth, located in the southern hemisphere of the moon.

According to surveys, the concentration of water in this area is 100 parts per million to 412 parts per million.

For comparison, the water content of the Sahara Desert is 100 times that of the lunar soil detected.

  "There are indications that H2O (water molecules) may exist on the sunlit side of the moon," said Paul Hertz, director of astrophysics at NASA Headquarters Science Mission Department, in a statement. "Now we know it is there. This discovery challenges our understanding of the surface of the moon and raises interesting questions about resources related to deep space exploration."

  According to the report, this discovery is good news for astronauts who will land on the moon in the future. They will be able to use these resources to drink and make rocket fuel.

Related research results were published in the latest issue of "Natural Astronomy" magazine.

  But NASA said that whether water on the moon is easily available and can become a resource remains to be determined.

NASA said on the social networking site: "We do not yet know whether it can be used as a resource, but understanding the water on the moon is the key to our'Artemis' exploration program."

  The "Artemis" program is a space exploration program currently underway by NASA. The goal is to send the first female and one male astronaut to the surface of the moon by 2024.

  "If we can use the resources on the moon, then we can carry less water and more equipment to help make new scientific discoveries." NASA Chief Exploration Scientist Jacob Bly Chel said.

  According to reports, this discovery comes from NASA’s “Stratospheric Infrared Astronomical Observatory (SOFIA)” research, which is responsible for analyzing the atmospheres of distant planets and satellites.

The "Stratospheric Infrared Astronomical Observatory (SOFIA)" is actually a modified Boeing airliner, carrying a telescope with a diameter of about 2.5 meters, which can fly high in the earth's atmosphere, which is nearly 9 feet (about 2.7 meters) The telescope provides a clear view of the universe and solar system objects.

  Some scientists believe that the water on the moon comes from comets, asteroids, solar wind and even volcanic eruptions on the moon.

Paul Hein from the University of Colorado in the United States said, "If we can go deep into the surface and analyze ice samples," we will have a better understanding of the source of water.