Tom Glenn/NASA

Water Molecules Found on Sunlit Surface of the Moon!

Breaking News! At 12P ET today, October 26, NASA announced a new discovery about the Moon. Here are the agency’s findings resulting from the world’s largest airborne observatory, SOFIA.

October 26, 2020

Keeping its eye on the Moon, NASA’s efforts to land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024 through Project Artemis continues to become a reality with its newest scientific discovery about the lunar surface. This new finding pushes forward the agency’s drive for deep space exploration.

The science behind today’s announcement results from use of SOFIA, a flying observatory aboard a modified 747 jet. The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, an American-German partnership, first took flight in 2007. The “astronomy facility” soars high above at 43,000 feet for about 10 hours at a time and studies objects in our solar system through the use of infrared light.

NASA

SOFIA is a Boeing 747SP jetliner modified to carry a 100-inch diameter telescope. It is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center. The aircraft is based at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center's Hangar 703, in Palmdale, California.

At 12P ET today, October 26, it was announced that NASA has discovered, with the use of a giant flying telescope, water molecules on the sunlit surface of the Moon. Currently, the water is trapped in glass beads hidden between grains and protected from the Moon’s harsh environment within the Clavius Crater. It is unknown at this time if the water can be used. There are a lot of questions that remain unanswered; however, this is big news for space exploration. If the water can be utilized, the possibilities are endless for accessible drinking water, rocket fuel, and more on the Moon!

Next Up

We Have Liftoff: Congratulations to NASA and SpaceX

Here's to NASA, SpaceX, Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, and all of the engineers, scientists, and staff involved with the Saturday, May 30th historical launch.

Quiz: Test Your Space Exploration Knowledge

Ahead of the historic May 27th NASA and SpaceX crewed space launch, test your space exploration knowledge!

Do You Want to Go to Space?

Have you always dreamed of going to space? Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino answers our questions about life at the International Space Station.

Top 5 Reasons Why the “UFO Report” Isn’t Interesting to me, a Scientist

Excited by the prospects of the “UFO Report”? As a scientist, I have my doubts. But you can watch UFOS DECLASSIFED: LIVE on Discovery and Science June 30 at 8P where experts discuss what can and can't be explained.

NFL SUPER STADIUMS Follows the Epic Journey of Building SoFi Stadium

In partnership with the NFL, Discovery and Science Channel go behind the scenes and follow the remarkable journey of constructing SoFi Stadium in an all-new, two-hour special, NFL SUPER STADIUMS premiering Wednesday, September 9 at 8P on Science Channel and Saturday, September 12 at 11A on Discovery.

NASA and SpaceX are Going on a Date, and We're All Invited

Save the date--On May 27th, if everything goes as planned, a rocket will launch from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Watch SPACE LAUNCH LIVE: AMERICA RETURNS TO SPACE on Discovery and Science Channel starting at 2P ET.

William Shatner Becomes Oldest Man to Travel to Space After Successful Blue Origin Space Flight

On the morning of October 13, William Shatner joined the crew of New Shepard for its second crewed flight, NS-18. Due to a few holds, the scheduled 10A liftoff was delayed by about 50 minutes from Blue Origin's Launch Site One in Texas. Despite the delays, liftoff and touchdown went off without a hitch, making Star Trek star William Shatner the oldest man to go to space.

Looking Ahead to 2021 in Space

As the year 2020 comes to close, it’s time to look ahead to 2021 and what’s to come in space exploration. From crewed launches to the ISS and Perseverance landing on Mars, it’s shaping up to be a busy year in space. Let’s take a look!

NASA’s Giant Rocket Test Fails (Sort Of)

It was all supposed to be great. On January 16th, NASA performed its first major test run in a long, long time. It was a test for the core stage of its upcoming Space Launch System (SLS), a beast of a rocket that will carry astronauts to the Moon, Mars, and more.

SpaceX Crew Dragon Undocked and Ready to Return

NASA Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley return to Earth somewhere in the ocean near Florida after just over two months at the International Space Station. The first step was completed today at around 7:30 P ET, with a successful undocking from ISS. Follow the journey on SPACE LAUNCH LIVE: SPLASHDOWN on Discovery on August 2 starting at 1P ET.

Related To: