Direct evidence of surface exposed water ice in the lunar polar regions

Shuai Li(University of Hawaii System), P. G. Lucey(University of Hawaii System), R. E. Milliken(Brown University), P. O. Hayne(University of Colorado Boulder), Elizabeth A. Fisher(Brown University), J. P. Williams(Planetary Science Institute), D. M. Hurley(Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory), R. C. Elphic(Ames Research Center)
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
August 20, 2018
Cited by 598Open Access
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Abstract

Significance We found direct and definitive evidence for surface-exposed water ice in the lunar polar regions. The abundance and distribution of ice on the Moon are distinct from those on other airless bodies in the inner solar system such as Mercury and Ceres, which may be associated with the unique formation and evolution process of our Moon. These ice deposits might be utilized as an in situ resource in future exploration of the Moon.


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