Apollo 17 Soil Matches Ancient Earth's Ocean Ridges In Water Content

StartsWithABang writes: They say that one of the most exciting phrases to hear in science is not "eureka!" but "that's funny," and the Apollo 17 astronauts, just over 43 years ago, certainly got such a moment when they discovered orange soil just beneath the grey regiolith. What turned out to be volcanic glass with tin inclusions had another surprise: olivine deposits that showed signs that they contained significant amounts of water inclusions when they were baked, at about ~1200 parts-per-million. This matches the water levels in Earth's upper mantle along ocean ridges, providing further evidence for the giant impact hypothesis and a common origin for the Earth and Moon.

Comments

Pro-Human Hype

[Tablizer]

It's arguable that all of this wouldn't have come to pass -- that we never would have learned any of this -- if we hadn't sent a human scientist to the Moon...that this is what's truly needed if we want to uncover the truths about the rest of the worlds in our Solar System: scientific exploration by a human who knows what they're looking for. Or more importantly, who recognizes something interesting when they see it, and who isn't afraid to kick up what might be lurking where a more autonomous mind might not think to look!

This seems to be presenting an argument for more scientists (instead of just astronauts) and/or on-site human exploration instead of remote-controlled robots.

However, the argument for both is weak. A regular astronaut and remote rover could spot orange soil also.

In fact, a rover could have more "color" filters instead of be limited to the 3 ranges (cones) that human eyes have. There can be odd spectral variations that human eyes just can't detect, including the infra-red and ultraviolet range.

And for the same money, bots can cover far more territory and linger in an interesting spot, if needed.

Re:Further proof

[Anonymous Coward]

Nixon's accomplishments while in office are over looked because of the Watergate scandal. He oversaw the creation of the EPA, opened diplomatic relations with China, enforced desegregation of Southern schools, withdrew US military forces out of Vietnam and signed the Paris Peace accords, and initiated détente with the Soviet Union in the wake of his diplomacy with China which lead to the SALT I and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. As far as Presidents go he got more accomplished in his truncated Presidency than Presidents with 8 year terms ever accomplish. Not saying he should have not resigned but I don't think you can overlook his accomplishments along with his failures. Any recent President in the same type of scandal would do every thing in their power to fight impeachment proceedings and bring the government to a standstill while doing it. And after the political carnage the President would resign.