Character and Spatial Distribution of OH/H 2 O on the Surface of the Moon Seen by M 3 on Chandrayaan-1

Abstract

The Moon has been thought to be primarily anhydrous, although there has been some evidence for accumulated ice in permanently shadowed craters near its poles (see the Perspective by Lucey , published online 24 September). By analyzing recent infrared mapping by Chandrayaan-1 and Deep Impact, and reexamining Cassini data obtained during its early flyby of the Moon, Pieters et al. (p. 568 , published online 24 September), Sunshine et al. (p. 565 , published online 24 September), and Clark et al. (p. 562 , published online 24 September) reveal a noticeable absorption signal for H 2 O and OH across much of the surface. Some variability in water abundance is seen over the course of the lunar day. The data imply that solar wind is depositing and/or somehow forming water and OH in minerals near the lunar surface, and that this trapped water is dynamic.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Oct 23, 2009
Source ID
10.1126/science.1178658

Entities

People

  • B. Buratti
  • C. Hibbitts
  • C. M. Pieters
  • C. Runyon
  • E. Livo
  • E. Malaret
  • George C. Kramer
  • J. Boardman
  • J. Mustard
  • J. N. Goswami
  • J. Nettles
  • J. Sunshine
  • J. W. Head
  • J.-p. Combe
  • Kumar Shivam
  • L. A. Taylor
  • M. Annadurai
  • M. D. Dyar
  • M. Hicks
  • M. Staid
  • N. Petro
  • P. Isaacson
  • P. Varanasi
  • R. Green
  • R. Klima
  • R. N. Clark
  • S. Lundeen
  • S. Tompkins
  • T. Mccord

Organizations

  • Brown University
  • College of Charleston
  • Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
  • Goddard Space Flight Center
  • Indian Space Research Organisation
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Mount Holyoke College
  • National Remote Sensing Centre
  • Physical Research Laboratory
  • Planetary Science Institute
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Tennessee

Tags

Readers

  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris