•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 Moon minerals (oxides, silicates, etc.) to form water or hydroxyl groups, the possible precursors to water. Water (H2O) and its chemical compound, the hydroxyl group (-OH), exist as hydrates and hydroxides of Moon minerals in low concentrations throughout much of the Moon’s surface. Indeed, the presence of adsorbed water in trace concentrations has been calculated to be on the order of 10 parts per million to 1,000 parts per million. 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 presence of bound hydrogen. Moon scientists have been discussing 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 underground.”
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