The Chinese National Space Agency sent a mission to the moon in 2020 called Chang'a 5. It brought about 1.7 kilograms of new lunar samples back to Earth. And that is what our scientists have been busy analyzing since then. Our particular study looked at things called glassy beads. They formed when actually any impactor hits the surface of the moon and creates melting of the material, whatever it hits.
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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