Chandrayaan 2 detects Hydroxyl and Water Molecules on Moon

Recently, the Imaging Infrared Spectrometer (IIRS) onboard Chandrayaan 2, India’s second Moon mission, detected the unambiguous presence of hydroxyl (OH) and water (H₂O) molecules on the Moon with the precision of differentiating between the two. The findings have been published in a paper authored by a team of scientists.

Key Findings

• Three strips on the Moon’s surface were analysed by IIRS sensor for hydration presence and the initial analysis demonstrated the presence of widespread lunar hydration and unambiguous detection of hydroxyl and water signatures on the Moon.
• Formation of Hydroxyl and Water: The most common and widespread process for the formation ....