A pair of new studies are helping scientists figure out where and how much water could linger on our planetary companion.
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For years, scientists have worked to uncover the mysteries of water on the moon. Now two new studies published in Nature Astronomy confirm that water may be found all over the lunar surface.
One study reports the first unambiguous evidence for water molecules clinging to or encapsulated within grains in the lunar soil on the sunlit swaths of the surface. The second study modeled small zones on the moon cast in permanent shadow and found that some 15,400 square miles—an area equivalent to nearly 7,500,000 football fields—are cold enough to harbor ice, about 20 percent more than once thought.
In case you are keeping track:
NASA to announce 'exciting new discovery' about the moon today | Space
Update for 12:58 p.m. EDT: NASA has announced the discovery of much more water on the moon than previously thought, including water in a sunlit region of the moon for the first time. Read our full story here .
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NASA wants you to get excited about the moon — or more specifically, about a mysterious new science result the agency plans to unveil today (Oct. 26).
A NASA statement announcing the news conference promises "an exciting new discovery about the moon" and references the agency's ambitious Artemis program to land astronauts at the moon's south pole in 2024. But the science itself comes from a long-running observatory, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy ( SOFIA ), a German-American partnership that made its first flight in 2007 .
Zany moon monikers: October's 'Blue Moon' and other lunar terms explained | Space
It would seem in our 21st century world, that most everything needs to be branded. That is exactly the case this month regarding the moon, especially since this is a "double full moon month."
The full moon of Oct. 1 acquired the title of " Harvest Moon " because it was the full moon occurring nearest in the calendar to the autumnal equinox . Usually the September full moon gets that title, but this year it came much too early (on Sept. 2). There are other versions of this rule that the Harvest Moon is the full moon that comes either at or after the equinox, which would also put it in October more often than not.
Yale astronomers investigate the possibility of pieces of Venus on the moon
| Yale astronomers investigate the possibility of pieces of Venus on the moon
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The scientists' work offers new insights into recent theories that indicate that Venus could have had an atmosphere similar to that of Earth billions of years ago, before it acquired its current atmosphere.
Cabot and Laughlin's research offers new insights into recent theories that indicate that Venus could have had an atmosphere similar to that of Earth billions of years ago, before it acquired its current atmosphere, which is dense with carbon dioxide and contains clouds of sulfuric acid. The researchers found that asteroids and comets that crashed into Venus may have dislodged as many as 10 billion rocks, sending them into orbit and causing them to intersect with the Earth and the moon.
Not to change the topic here:
Look up! The moon will pay Jupiter and Saturn a visit tonight | Space
Skywatchers will be treated to an eye-catching gathering in the south-southwest sky about an hour after sunset on Thursday (Oct. 22) — a large triangle formed by the moon and two bright "superior" planets.
A superior planet is one that is located in an orbit around the sun that is beyond that of Earth. The planets in question are Jupiter and Saturn, which have attracted the attention of skywatchers all through the summer and early fall.
Of course, these close alignments are merely an illusion of perspective. Our moon is much closer in space to us than is either Jupiter or Saturn . As it orbits Earth, the moon moves in an easterly direction across the sky at roughly its own apparent diameter (0.5 degrees) each hour, or approximately 12 degrees per day. (Your clenched fist held at arm's length covers about 10 degrees of sky.)
NASA Says It Found Water Molecules On The Moon's Surface : NPR
NASA has announced the discovery of water in a sunlit crater on the moon. The water is likely trapped inside of little glass beads and may one day be useful for astronauts visiting the surface.
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NASA announced today the discovery of water molecules inside a sunlit crater on the surface of the moon. The finding could have implications for future astronauts, as NPR's Geoff Brumfiel reports.
CARLE PIETERS: When the Apollo samples came back, it was noticed they were very dry, very old. And that sort of set the stage.
Movie Review: Netflix's new animated film Over the Moon
The story follows a 12-year-old girl named Fei Fei (voiced by Cathy Ang), who has lost her beloved mother to a terminal illness, as she struggles to reconcile her continuing sorrow with the fact that her father (voiced by John Cho) is considering remarrying. In a bit of telling character dissonance, Fei Fei is a science wiz who also happens to believe fervently in Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess whose thwarted love for the archer Houyi was one of her mom's favorite stories.
Visually, Lunaria is a marvel — a kaleidoscopic kingdom of surreal floating objects, tiny comet sentries, trippy giant frogs, and Angry Birds riding things that look like the light cycles from TRON: Legacy . In this lunar setting, light is not reflected but emanates from within, giving almost everyone an unreal, globular glow. It's like you've fallen into the world's biggest, most beautiful lava lamp.
'Moon Knight': Oscar Isaac Could Star in Marvel's Disney Plus Series - Variety
Oscar Isaac is in talks to star in the Marvel series “ Moon Knight ” at Disney Plus , Variety has learned.
“Moon Knight” tells the story of Marc Spector, an elite soldier and mercenary who decides to fight crime after he becomes the human avatar of Khonshu, the Egyptian god of the moon.
The role would mark a return of sorts to Marvel for Isaac, who previously starred in “X-Men: Apocalypse,” though that film was released prior to Marvel reacquiring the film rights to the “X-Men” franchise. Isaac is also no stranger to working with Disney, as he starred in the recent “Star Wars” trilogy as Resistance fighter Poe Dameron.
Happening on Twitter
For the 1st time, molecular water was discovered on a sunlit surface of the Moon, suggesting water may not be limit… https://t.co/ocXZXtZjYj NASAGoddard (from Greenbelt, MD USA) Mon Oct 26 16:03:26 +0000 2020
💦🌚 Water molecules were found in Clavius Crater, one of the largest craters visible from Earth on the Moon! This di… https://t.co/LYvkYXSTf5 NASA Mon Oct 26 17:35:38 +0000 2020
We just announced that - for the first time - we've confirmed H2O💧 in sunlit☀️ areas of the Moon. This indicates th… https://t.co/xMsNsxrP5J NASAMoon (from Greenbelt, MD) Mon Oct 26 16:26:09 +0000 2020
🌔 ICYMI... using our @SOFIATelescope, we found water on the Moon's sunlit surface for the first time. Scientists th… https://t.co/UAmjnvsw6g NASA Mon Oct 26 23:55:06 +0000 2020
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