•Water on the Moon has two potential sources: water carried by comets and other bodies that impact the Moon, and in situ production. The latter is theorized to occur when hydrogen ions in the solar wind (protons) chemically combine with oxygen atoms in the Moon’s minerals (oxides, silicates, etc.) to form water or hydroxyl groups, the possible precursors to water. Water (H2O) and the chemical compound hydroxyl group (-OH), as well as its hydrates and hydroxides in the form of compounds (rather than free water), persist as minerals on the Moon. There is strong evidence that these minerals contain water or hydroxyls in low concentrations over much of the Moon’s surface. In fact, adsorption of water has been estimated to be present in concentrations of parts per million to parts per thousand. This mineral-bound water, or hydroxylated mineral surface, should not be confused with water ice.
Uncertain evidence of the presence of liquid water on the Moon has been found in various models that assume the existence of bound hydrogen. Moon scientists have been debating the possibility of water deposits for decades. Now, they write in a report that they are “confident that the decades-long debate is over.” “There is water on the Moon everywhere, not just in minerals, but in fragmented form on the surface and probably in the form of ice blocks or slabs deep down.”
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