UT researchers have recently uncovered the probable source of water deposits left on the lunar surface.
Lawrence Taylor, professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Science, has already achieved great acclaim in the scientific community, proving the existence of abundant water deposits on the Moon. His new findings indicate that some of this water originated from various comets' collision with the moon.
"Cometary water-ice exists in the permanently shadowed craters at the poles of the Moon, where the temperatures are on the order of -230 degrees Celsius — 40 Kelvin," Taylor said.
His findings have indicated that water deposits may be present inside the moon as well. However, the deposits on the lunar surface could be of significant benefit for space exploration.
"This water-ice will be a challenge for the astronauts to recover, but is in great supply and could provide liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as fuel for rockets — having empty gas tanks after escaping Earth's gravity," he said.
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