These glass beads are in the size range of something like the width of single human hair. If you use a simple binocular microscope, you would be able to see them. And imagine these are really the miniaturized marbles that children play with. What did you find when you looked at those beads? There was much more water near the rim compared to the core.
More than half a century after humans last walked on the moon, researchers have made a discovery that makes lunar living an increasing possibility. The moon’s surface is littered with tiny glass beads containing water, which could be extracted and used by visiting astronauts. Ian Sample speaks to Professor Mahesh Anand, part of the team that made the discovery, about where these beads come from and what they mean for future moon missions. Help support our independent journalism at
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