Archives for: October 2009, 16
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ESA sees H2O forming on the Moon from solar wind
by cfrjlr 
Link: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM8TBYRA0G_index_0.html
This discovery, made by the ESA-ISRO instrument "Sub-keV Atom Reflecting Analyzer" (SARA) onboard the Indian Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbiter, suggests how water is likely being created on the lunar surface.
The Moon is a big sponge that absorbs electrically charged particles given out by the Sun. These particles interact with the oxygen present in some dust grains on the lunar surface, producing water.
But there is a mystery....
One in 5 protons bounces off into space and is not absorbed. This was completely unexpected and remains unexplained.
New instruments can be designed to detect the bouncing protons, to learn more about the processes.
We have just scratched the surface of the Moon, stay tuned for more amazing discoveries.
10/16/09 08:36:46 am, 