Water-Ice Beyond Lunar Poles
Context:
Water-ice on the Moon may be more widespread than previously thought, according to a new analysis of data from Chandrayaan-3.
Chandrayaan-3
It is India’s third lunar mission, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. The mission successfully landed near the Moon’s south pole on August 23, 2023, marking a significant achievement in India’s space exploration program. Chandrayaan-3 consists of three main components: a Propulsion Module (PM), a Lander Module (LM), and a Rover Module. The Propulsion Module carried the Lander and Rover to the Moon, while the Lander Module, named Vikram, and the Rover Module, named Pragyan, were designed for lunar surface operations. The mission used ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV-MK III), also known as the LVM3 rocket, for launch
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- Scientists at the Ahmedabad-based Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) have suggested that water-ice could be present in regions beyond the lunar poles, particularly in high-latitude locations where certain surface conditions mimic those of the polar regions.
- Using data from Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE), the researchers found that surface and sub-surface temperatures in the Moon’s higher latitudes exhibited significant variations, even with minor changes in altitude over short distances.
- Areas with inclines that were not directly exposed to the Sun were found to have environments similar to the Moon’s polar regions, potentially harboring water-ice beneath the surface.
- Chandrayaan-3, which landed at approximately 70 degrees south latitude—closer to the lunar south pole than any previous mission—provided valuable insights into temperature variations and potential ice deposits in these high-latitude regions.
The Chandrayaan-1 had confirmed the presence of water on the Moon. Their observations had found strong signals of water in the polar regions, including thick deposits of water-ice. Now, Chandrayaan-3 is suggesting that the prevalence of water-ice might not be confined to the polar regions only, and could be found in the areas immediately outside as well.
Key Findings
- ChaSTE, which was the first instrument to conduct on-site temperature measurements of the Moon’s surface and sub-surface near the poles, had previously revealed an extreme temperature gradient.
- It recorded a nearly 60-degree Celsius difference between the lunar surface and the layer just 10 cm beneath it, highlighting the Moon’s poor heat conductivity.
- This discovery has implications not only for understanding the Moon’s composition and evolution but also for designing temperature-controlled habitats for future human missions.
- The research team analysed ChaSTE’s temperature data and inferred the likelihood of water-ice at locations similar to Shiv Shakti Point, where Chandrayaan-3 landed.
Implications for Future Exploration
- The study suggests that small inclines in high-latitude regions (between 60-80 degrees north or south) that are not directly exposed to sunlight may create conditions similar to those in the lunar polar regions, making them potential sites for water-ice accumulation at shallow depths.
- The key finding is that high-latitude sites with slopes greater than 14 degrees in a poleward direction might offer an environment similar to polar sites for accumulating water-ice.
- Beyond scientific interest, these regions could hold practical advantages for future lunar exploration.
