Researchers have been looking for and looking for water on the moon. Why is it so important to know it exists? This information helps to clarify existing hypotheses about the origin of the satellite.
The model of the Moon's impact formation says that once there was a collision of the Earth, which was a little more than now, with a space object the size of Mars.
Part of the hot emissions were caught by the Earth's gravity field in Earth's near-Earth orbit. And these very hot particles then joined (accredited) into the Moon. Previously, when there were no signs of water, the lack of water was associated with the shock formation. There was even a beautiful term bone-dry - the Moon, dry as a bone.
Another well-known hypothesis is the joint accretion of the Moon and the Earth from a single protoplanetary thickening. This idea allows us to assume that the Moon is not depleted in water.
It would seem that the presence of water on the Moon proves the hypothesis of joint accretion. But everything is not so simple. If we adjust the models used by the astrophysicists to explain how water evaporates or is retained. We can save some water in the large stroke hypothesis.
Therefore, the discussion continues and is fed by new data on the amount of water in lunar soil samples. Moreover, it has become possible to study the isotopic composition of hydrogen. In the past, this was not possible in such micro quantities. Another open question: why is the other side of the Moon different from the side we are facing?
In both hemispheres, there are quite a few large depressions, the so-called pools. But on the other side of the Moon they are not filled with basalt lava, unlike the visible side, where basalt lava covers in these depressions, mainly in the impact ones, form lunar seas. Why are there no seas on the other side? There are two versions.
According to the first one, in some parts of the Moon the magmatic springs were closer to the surface than they are now. Basalt lava eruptions occurred, which hardened and became very dense. Gradually, the Moon turned to the Earth, where there were accumulations of dense matter. According to the opposite, point of view, the Earth's attraction contributed to the fact that on the visible side of the sources of basalt lava were a little closer to the surface than on the reverse side, and outflows occurred much more often. Which of these is closer to reality, it is not clear yet. Finally, it is fascinating to study new sources of lunar matter. The samples available to geologists are not limited to sample taken by astronauts and automatic stations. It is interesting to study lunar meteorites.
Since the Moon is a relatively small body, it takes only more than 2 km/s to fly away from it.
Some part of the substance that splintered off the lunar surface during the energetic impact of a large meteorite, acquires such a speed and flies away from the Moon. Part of these emissions fall into the sphere of attraction of the Earth, and they fall on its surface. Geologists have already learned to distinguish between lunar meteorites, and those that came from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Moreover, scientists have several dozen meteorites at their disposal, the composition of which is obvious that they flew from Mars.!!!!
Returning to the Moon
Apparently, manned missions to the Moon are still relevant. Of course, the political aspect plays a significant role in such decisions.
NASA is planning a manned flight to the Moon in 2024, and if their plans are implemented, a woman astronaut will step on the surface of the satellite.
At Brown University, a team of planetologists in collaboration with astronaut David Scott is developing a plan to land a new ship in the same area where the Apollo 15 once landed. Will we see something new there if we use the latest technology and scientific methods? Additionally, there are places on the Moon where, with the help of remote orbital observations and spectroscopy, new deposits of Pyroclastic deposits and other unusual rocks have been found. Such a place is, for example, the Sea of Moscow. If astronauts were sent there, they could take interesting samples. But it is essential that the astronauts are well-prepared regarding the geology of the Moon.!!!
Moon seas
There are also more applied directions. The creation of visited or long-term bases on the Moon is discussed. For example, a large radio telescope can be installed on the other side of the Moon, where there is no radio emission from the Earth, to view the universe without earthly interference. In addition, it is possible to establish a base there to assemble a ship and equip it with fuel and oxidizer for further flight, starting from the Moon to Mars. A good place to locate such bases are the polar regions, where the Sun shines very obliquely and there are cold zones of eternal shade.
There, in the Regolith, there are hidden water ice reserves. This water can be decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen, which will be used as rocket fuel and oxidizer, respectively. The poles of the moon also have places where the sunset is almost non-existent, such as Mount Alpert. This allows unlimited use of solar energy. Assembling ships.