We have a lunar water problem: all detections so far are consistent with very small amounts of hydration from solar wind hydrogen ion deposition

Primary source: http://ift.tt/1UxTtaw

Spectra of these pristine samples contain features near 3 μm wavelength similar to those observed from the lunar surface by the Chandrayaan-1 Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3), Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS), and Deep Impact Extrasolar Planet Observation and Deep Impact Extended Investigation (EPOXI) High-Resolution Instrument (HRI) instruments. Spectral feature characteristics and inferred OH/H2O concentrations are within the range of those observed by spacecraft instruments. These findings confirm that the 3 μm feature from the lunar surface results from the presence of hydration in the form of bound OH and H2O. Implantation of solar wind H+ appears to be the most plausible formation mechanism for most of the observed lunar OH and H2O.

What can we do about it? We could send rovers with drills, but it would be easier to use remote laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) from lunar orbit: http://ift.tt/23AoKj1 Instrumentation review: http://ift.tt/1UxTtaA

Shoot the moon?

Submitted January 30, 2016 at 01:45PM by jsalsman http://ift.tt/1SrOnxo