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Lunar Polar Ice Not Present

Posted by Hemos on from the research-moving-along dept.

pclark999 writes "The New Scientist reports that radar probes of the lunar polar region has disproved earlier theories regarding large sheets of polar ice in craters permanently in the shade. "

6 of 339 comments (clear)

  1. Time for plan B by tekiegreg · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Granted there is no water on the moon, we'll have to bring it there ourselves I guess, presumably we're either importing from Earth, or how about nudging a comet towards the moon once the technology is feasible? As long as your aim is good (for the love of god don't miss and hit Earth), we could have a large supply of water available for long term moon usage indefinitely (when we run out, just nudge another comet, but control the landing of the comet if there's already people there).

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    ...in bed
  2. Re:Make up your minds... by jgabby · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Skiing on the moon would be no fun at all....no wind blowing in your face, a very slow speed...perhaps the only enjoyable thing would be ski jumps with REALLY long slopes to build up speed, then jump over a canyon or something.

  3. Little Off Topic by pvt_medic · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I was just surfing the web and came across this Nova article about one of the possible theories over the creation of the moon. Its says that the moon is a result of a asteroid crashing into the earth and was formed by the pieces that were blasted off the earth. Here is a video animation they have on it.

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    30% Troll, 50% Underrated, 10% Interesting
    Score:5, Troll
  4. Well, more accurately by Space+cowboy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    it said there was no sheets of ice at the poles. There could still be grains. The previous survey showed a lot of hydrogen up there, and the best guess for how you get lots of hydrogen to stick around is as ice.

    Not sure why you couldn't have methane mind...

    Simon.

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    Physicists get Hadrons!
  5. Not complete refutation by amightywind · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The radar astronomers admit that they were not able to probe Shackleton crater where Clementine got it positive reading. In any event, I doubt we are talking about much more than frost in the regolith. This is bad news for those who prattle on about stipmining the lunar south pole in order to manufacture rocket fuel.

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    an ill wind that blows no good
  6. Shadows by Autonomous+Crowhard · · Score: 3, Interesting
    I read this and I have a question... How can they be using Arecibo to detect into the bottoms of those craters? Given Arecibo's location (18.3) and Luna's orbital inclination (5 degrees) and the fact that they are looking at Luna's poles then the angle of incedence would be pretty low (4.13 degrees) for the south pole. From the article it sounds like they are only checking the sides of the craters and not the bottom. Not sure what good that does.

    Also, so what if it takes a lot of processing to get the water out of the soil. It's not like you don't have a great source of energy just over the crater wall.