New evidence for native lunar water from Chang’E-5

 

Analyzing the lunar sample brought back by Chang’E-5, scientists recently found that every ton of lunar surface contained about 28.5g water. 

 

An important source of water content (hydroxyl) is found to be apatite, a mineral naturally found to be on the Moon and Earth. The finding demonstrates:

the presence of lunar-originated internal water in the Chang’E-5 lunar samples

water played an important role in the formation and crystallization of the late lunar basaltic magma

 

Why we need to study lunar water?

It's an important key to the formation and evolution of the Moon itself.

Provide significant information about the evolution of the solar system. 

Provide resources supporting humans on the Moon in the future.

 

Credit: NAOC/GRAS

Learn more: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-30807-5

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