Lunar Prospector has confirmed the existence of ice on the Moon. Ancient
impacts are the likely source of this ice. We have at our doorstep a possible
repository of our primordial solar system. Is there any evidence of other
chemicals present within the ice? Are there any plans or discussions to send
a probe to return a sample of this ice to Earth for analysis?
The Answer
I agree, the discovery of ice on the moon was a major breakthrough.
You can find information on the Lunar Prospector mission and results at:
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunarprosp.html
NASA has a web site about future lunar missions which can be found at:
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/expmoon/future/future.html
Hope this helps,
Mike Arida
for Ask an Astrophysicist
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