Recent analysis from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) indicates that ice deposits in lunar regolith are more extensive than previously believed.

Led by Dr. Timothy P. McClanahan, the new research suggests widespread evidence of water ice in permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) outside the lunar South Pole, extending to areas at least 77 degrees south latitude.

While the exact volume of ice deposits remains undetermined, estimates suggest that for every 1.2 square yards of surface area above ice deposits, there may be about five liters of ice within the top meter of regolith.

Water ice on the Moon could provide essential resources for future lunar missions, including water for radiation protection and breaking down into hydrogen and oxygen for fuel and breathable air.

The study provides detailed maps that assist lunar mission planners in identifying priority areas for exploration, particularly in the coldest sections of PSRs.

The highest concentrations of ice are expected in the coldest parts of PSRs, typically below 75 Kelvin, especially near the base of poleward-facing slopes.

The study analyzed neutron data from 502 PSRs, demonstrating a correlation between PSR size and hydrogen concentration, which aids in detecting potential ice deposits.

Ice molecules can be displaced by meteorites and space radiation, traveling across the lunar surface before being trapped in PSRs due to the extreme cold.

Ice on the Moon is believed to accumulate through various processes, including comet impacts, vapor release from the lunar interior, and chemical reactions involving solar wind hydrogen.

The research utilized instruments from NASA's LRO mission, supported by multiple NASA teams and grants, including the Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) developed by Roscosmos.

Overall, the results from this study significantly enhance the understanding of lunar ice distribution and its potential uses in future exploration.

Dr. Timothy P. McClanahan's findings were published in the Planetary Science Journal, emphasizing the widespread nature of the ice deposits.