The NASA lunar probe that was directed to impact the surface of the Moon in October has detected the presence of water, according to preliminary findings. The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, was launched June 18th to see if it could find water in one of the permanently shadowed craters on the Moon. LCROSS and the spent upper stage which carried it struck the Moon’s surface approximately four minutes apart.
LCROSS
Lunar dust kicked up during the first impact was analyzed by LCROSS before it collided with the Moon as well.
Data obtained from LCROSS using its on board spectrometers was compared with the near infrared spectral signature of water. Early analysis indicates that along with the ejected dust, water was present. Additionally, indications of hydroxyl, a byproduct of the breakup of water in the presence of sunlight, was detected in the ultraviolet range of the spectrometers.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, another spacecraft observed both impacts and passes over the site during its orbit to gain additional data for researchers.
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