Water on the moon emerged from behind the solar wind

Scientists from France showed that the water in the lunar soil has arisen in consequence of the solar wind, and was not brought to the Earth by comets or chondrites, the most popular group of meteorites.

The results of own researches of the authors published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Scientists believe that the water in the soil of the satellite was formed as a consequence of the interactions of lunar oxygen and protons (nuclei of hydrogen)contained in the solar wind - the stream of ionized particles from the star. According to them, a considerable part of the water in the lunar dust has arisen specifically in this way.

To such conclusion the professionals came in consequence of the analysis of lunar plagioclase. This mineral is of itself sodium calcium aluminosilicate, containing various impurities. It formed, as it is believed, in consequence of the solidification of magma.

In his research professionals analyzed particles of lunar dust samples taken by the Americans during the implementation of the program "Apollo". For my research scientists have used the device NanoSIMS 50L (Seconday Ion Mass Spectrometer 50L). Sensitive mass spectrometer allows to create maps ionic and elemental composition of drugs with high resolution.

The proportions of particles of hydrogen, protium (with one proton in the nucleus) and deuterium (a proton and a neutron), and even lithium Li-6 and Li-7, indicate deep processes of transformation of isotopes with the participation of protons. A source of charged nucleons in such reactions is considered, according to scientists, the solar wind.

While professionals turned out to clarify the nature of water on the surface of the Earth satellite. The question of its origin more than the deepest layers of the moon remains open.

sections: Society, World News