New Map Reveals Distribution of Water Near Moon’s South Pole

A new study using the now-retired Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has pieced together the first detailed, wide-area map of water distribution on the Moon. The new map covers about one-quarter of the Earth-facing side of the lunar surface below 60 degrees latitude and extends to the Moon’s South Pole. In this data visualization, SOFIA’s lunar water observations are indicated using color, with blue representing areas of higher water signal, and brown lower. Video credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio/Ernie Wright Learn more: NASA’s Ames Research Center is located in California’s Silicon Valley. Follow us on social media to hear about the latest developments in space, science, technology, and aeronautics. Facebook Twitter Instagram