Whuuuuuuut?
Alright…when can we head to the moon? When can we colonize the place and become moon people?
Turns out that may be more of a possibility than it ever was, as NASA announced today that they have discovered with SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy), they they have discovered water molecules in the Clavius Crater on the surface of the moon!
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS!?!?
We’re moving to the moon! Ok not really, but it is the first step to that maybe being a possibility.
From NASA’s Press Release (View Full Release Here):
SOFIA has detected water molecules (H2O) in Clavius Crater, one of the largest craters visible from Earth, located in the Moon’s southern hemisphere. Previous observations of the Moon’s surface detected some form of hydrogen, but were unable to distinguish between water and its close chemical relative, hydroxyl (OH). Data from this location reveal water in concentrations of 100 to 412 parts per million – roughly equivalent to a 12-ounce bottle of water – trapped in a cubic meter of soil spread across the lunar surface. The results are published in the latest issue of Nature Astronomy.
“We had indications that H2O – the familiar water we know – might be present on the sunlit side of the Moon,” said Paul Hertz, director of the Astrophysics Division in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Now we know it is there. This discovery challenges our understanding of the lunar surface and raises intriguing questions about resources relevant for deep space exploration.”
When I think of heading to the moon? I think of one thing…Futurama.
