The solar wind is universally arriving everywhere on the moon almost. It has been happening over the four and a half billion years of moon's history. We estimate it that there is probably at a lower bound 100 million tons of water that could be locked up in these glass beads. The highest would be two or three orders of magnitude more.
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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