Oxygen and sulphur on moon! Does this mean human can live on the moon?
First Published: 30th August, 2023 15:32 IST
Pragyan rover has detected the presence of Sulphur, Aluminium, Calcium, Ferrous (Iron), Chromium, Titanium, Manganese, Silicon and Oxygen
In what can be termed as a significant breakthrough, the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope instrument on board Pragyan rover of the Chandrayaan-3 mission has confirmed the presence of Sulphur in moon’s surface near the south pole.
Not just sulphur, the Pragyan rover has detected the presence of Aluminium (Al), Calcium (Ca), Ferrous (Iron) (Fe), Chromium (Fe), Titanium (Ti), Manganese (Mn), Silicon (Si) and Oxygen (O2) revealed Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO.
The space agency also said that the search for hydrogen in the Moon’s south pole region is underway.
“In-situ scientific experiments continue …. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) instrument on board the Rover unambiguously confirms the presence of Sulphur (S) in the lunar surface near the south pole, through first-ever in-situ measurements. Al, Ca, Fe, Cr, Ti, Mn, Si, and O are also detected, as expected. Search for Hydrogen (H) is underway. LIBS instrument is developed at the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS)/ISRO, Bengaluru,” ISRO wrote on X.
The presence of sulphur on moon’s south polar region is noteworthy as it indicates existence of water ice, a crucial factor for future lunar missions and potential human habitation.
Sulphur usually originates from volcanic activities, and its presence on the Moon can help get us more insights on moon’s history and composition.
Detection of aluminium, calcium, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese, and silicon will also help in understanding Moon’s elemental composition and geological processes.
The detection of oxygen is also a crucial discovery and will help us study if life really existed on moon, and there could have been vegetation in moon once.
It also shows that moon is more hospitable and the presence of natural resources can be used for mining.
On August 27, the rover came across a 4-meter diameter crater positioned 3 meters ahead of its location. The Rover was commanded to retrace the path, and was safely headed on a new path.
The solar-powered Pragyan rover and Vikram lander continue to conduct a series of scientific experiments, the mission is likely to last for another seven days.
Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission carried out by ISRO, landed on the moon’s South pole, making it the first country to have achieved the historic feat, and fourth country after the US, China, and Russia – to have successfully landed on the moon’s surface.
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