NASA: Millions of tons of water discovered on moon.

[JMH]

A NASA radar system onboard India's lunar orbiter has spotted evidence of water -- a lot of water -- on the moon's north pole.

The space agency announced Monday that scientists have discovered about 600 million metric tons of water ice in more than 40 craters on the lunar surface. The craters, which are in permanent shadow and extremely cold, range in size from one to nine miles in diameter. NASA scientists have long theorized that the dark, cold craters held one of their best chances of finding water ice on the moon.

"After analyzing the data, our science team determined a strong indication of water ice, a finding which will give future missions a new target to further explore and exploit," said Jason Crusan, a program executive for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, in a statement.

Source -
NASA: Millions of tons of water discovered on moon

 

[jamesvdm]

It's cool that they're finding stuff, but what does water on the moon really mean?

 

[seekermeister]

It would mean that keeping a permanent moon base would become far more practical. It would be difficult to transport enough water from the earth to provide for a very large population. Water is an essential need for life on the moon.

 

[nekkidtruth]

Here's a really well written detailed article on what it means/could mean

Water on the Moon: What Does it Mean? | Universe Today

 

[DocBrown]

It's cool that they're finding stuff, but what does water on the moon really mean?

It means the Moon is not made out of Cheese

 

[gladson1976]

A NASA radar system onboard India's lunar orbiter has spotted evidence of water -- a lot of water -- on the moon's north pole.

The space agency announced Monday that scientists have discovered about 600 million metric tons of water ice in more than 40 craters on the lunar surface. The craters, which are in permanent shadow and extremely cold, range in size from one to nine miles in diameter. NASA scientists have long theorized that the dark, cold craters held one of their best chances of finding water ice on the moon.

"After analyzing the data, our science team determined a strong indication of water ice, a finding which will give future missions a new target to further explore and exploit," said Jason Crusan, a program executive for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, in a statement.

600 million metric tons = 600 000 000 000 kilograms = 1.32277357 × 10^12 pounds
Thats ~625 000 000 000 liters ~= 1.65107533 × 10^11 US gallons

Thats a lot of water. Hope they don't exploit it too much.

 

[Airbot]

Old news. They confirmed water back in September.

 

[Zepher]

Old news. They confirmed water back in September.

Well, now they found more.

 

[TRK212]

Wow . . .

Well . . . thats just nice . . . LETS FIND SOMETHING WE CAN ACTUALLY USE!!!

 

[nekkidtruth]

Well . . . thats just nice . . . LETS FIND SOMETHING WE CAN ACTUALLY USE!!!

Except...for....the fact....that we can use this...right?

The fact that there's water on the moon and it appears to be renewable is not useful?

 

[Prisoner]

Well . . . thats just nice . . . LETS FIND SOMETHING WE CAN ACTUALLY USE!!!

We can use water...

Without water, we would die.. so I believe that we just might be able to use this.

 

[Frostmourne]

Mmmm, Windows 7 on the moon.