SOFIA Discovers Water on a Sunlit Surface of the Moon

Scientists using NASA’s telescope on an airplane, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, discovered water on a sunlit surface of the Moon for the first time. SOFIA is a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft that allows astronomers to study the solar system and beyond in ways that are not possible with ground-based telescopes. Molecular water, H2O, was found in Clavius Crater, one of the largest craters visible from Earth in the Moon’s southern hemisphere. This discovery indicates that water may be distributed across the lunar surface, and not limited to cold, shadowed places.

Video credit: NASA/Ames Research Center

NASA's Ames Research Center is located in California's Silicon Valley. Follow us on social media to hear about the latest developments in space, science, technology, and aeronautics.

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[Micscience]

Why isn't any of these amazing astrological finds kind of kept away from the public. You kind of have to search for this stuff. There is so much beauty out there which would imapact those are far removed from this sort of stuff.

[sam]

This discovery is very important because, since the water samples were found in the sunlit side, that means that there is actually a lot more water on the moon than we think.

[SOGNAMETAL]

*JUST SO YOU KNOW, WATER EXISTS EVERYWHERE IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM, JUST IN DIFFERENT FORMS*

[ironmage]

This is massive news! This could lead to similar discoveries on Mars

[kaneworthington]

Turns out Alex Turner knew there was water in Clavius before we did;

"Take it easy for a little while
Come and stay with us
It's such an easy flight
Cute new places keep popping up
Around Clavius
It's all getting gentrified
The information action ratio
Is the place to go
And you will not recognize
The old headquarters"

[Alyzbane]

Prediction someone is going to monopolize that water

[CausticLemons]

I wonder if SOFIA 2 could be built into a blimp or airship. I bet it would be cheaper to operate and could stay in the air for longer periods of time.

[borianadimitrova]

Can somebody please tell me what song this is

[OutpostH]

Did they also find a large black monolith at Clavius too?

[akitodaisuke]

Nasa -
Hippity poppity
Moon is my property

[rszec]

Given the fact that this is announced in 2020, I really wouldn't be surprised if NASA noticed that this water leaves an icy trail, they follow it and find an obelisk on the dark side of the Moon.

[dragossorin]

This water must come from comets that smash on the lunar surface

[curlsjr]

we already leave there so as in Mars they will find more in mars subterenals very interesting

[uwaisnakedar]

this world is amazing and i love nasa and wish to be part of it one day as i am only 11

[metaparcel]

They have no idea how the water got there. We really have outdated concepts and models of our solar system formation and evolution.

[tarencemacon]

Where is the actual footage they saw of the water and not this Pixar studios animation bs? It’s 2020 cut it out...

[TieraRoot]

дааа... а человечество, точно венец эволюции? что-то сомнения меня терзают и сильные при том. ещё почти пол-века назад Америка летала на луну, привезли грунт! СССР обладал грунтом. но никакой воды там не было и в помине. но с ИК телескопа с земли, они находят воду и не где-то на тёмной стороне, на которой она могла в виде льда сохраниться, а на светлой! где шансов минимально для этого.

[davidmurphy]

Thought it would be water. Again. Still, it's good.

[ReachOutToWilliam]

There are so many weasel words in this short video that I can only conclude the scientists are very unsure. I mean, why didn't the Apollo astronauts who actually landed on the moon discover or bring back water? Surely they stepped in a puddle or two? I think this is all wishful and hopeful thinking with crossed fingers, lucky horseshoes and lack of black cats. Knock on wood.

[jonmunoz]

This is great news, I just wonder how long it will take for close minded deniers to troll all the videos that broadcast this subject.