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[00:01.47] They found that the sources of water and hydroxyl are believed to be contained in minerals on or just below the moon’s surface.

[00:13.42] Scientists involved in the research recently reported their results in a study published in the Planetary Science Journal.

[00:28.03] The research was led by Roger Clark, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute.

[00:33.61] In a press release announcing the findings, the researchers noted their discovery was made possible by data that the M3 instrument collected.

[00:46.09] They explained the instrument provides highly detailed data using imaging and infrared technologies.

[00:56.19] The M3 instrument, for example, can identify 85 different colors in its examinations of mineral compositions.

[01:07.87] This compares to normal digital cameras, which generally only record three colors.

[01:16.11] The researchers said, “Just like we see different colors from different materials, the infrared spectrometer can see many (infrared) colors to better determine the composition, including the water and hydroxyl."

[01:38.95] The team noted the water might have resulted from heating of rocks and soil or from chemical reactions that combined different hydroxyls to produce water, as well as oxygen.

[01:53.83] Clark, from the Planetary Science Institute, said both cratering and volcanic activity can bring water-rich materials to the surface.

[02:04.72] He noted that both are observed in the newly examined data.

[02:12.69] “We see a lunar surface with complex geology with significant water in the sub-surface and a surface layer of hydroxyl.”

[02:21.45] The discovery, Clark said, can be helpful to future exploration efforts on the moon.

[02:29.42] “Future astronauts may be able to find water even near the equator by exploiting these water-rich areas.”

[02:39.51] He added, “Knowing where water is located not only helps to understand lunar geologic history, but also where astronauts may find water in the future.”