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An Indian Space Research Organization’s Chandrayaan-2 instrument detected the presence of hydroxyl (OH) and water molecules (H2O) on the surface of the moon, according to a new article published in Current science.
The data was collected by the Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (IIRS), developed by ISRO’s Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Center (SAC) from ISRO from the electromagnetic spectrum obtained from the lunar surface, further used to detect mineral composition.
Chandrayaan-2, launched in 2019, suffered a tragic accident in which the lander and rover were completely damaged. However, the orbiter remains active and is now used by scientists to make groundbreaking discoveries from the lunar surface.
The instrument can operate between the wavelength of 0.8 to 5 micrometers, which improves the ability to accurately distinguish OH (hydroxyl) and H2O (water) molecules.
Chandrayaan-1 from 2008 also had similar equipment called the Moon Mineralogy Mapper or M3. However, its wavelength was limited to between 0.4 and 3 micrometers. Scientists then questioned the accuracy of the data received from the instrument, saying it was more difficult to distinguish OH from H2O in his case.
The article, written by scientists from IIRS in Dehradun, SAC in Ahmedabad, UR Rao Satellite Center and ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru, reveals that formation of hydroxyl or water molecules occurs. due to a process called spatial weathering, which is when solar winds blow. on the lunar surface. Another reason could be the interaction of small meteorites with the surface, which could lead to chemical changes.
The discovery is also crucial for future planetary exploration for resource use, the document notes. “Correct interpretation of the hydration characteristic by spectral analysis is important because it provides important data regarding the geology and geophysics of the (moon’s) mantle in terms of mineralogy, chemical composition, rheology and d ‘sun-wind interaction. ”
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