An in situ detection by China’s Chang’e-5 lunar probe and the subsequent analysis of its returned samples revealed at least two sources of water on the moon, one brought by solar wind and the other from indigenous sources.

Chinese scientists identify indigenous lunar water in Chang'e-5 samples

The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday.

Chang’e-5, comprising an orbiter, a lander, an ascender and a returner, was launched in November 2020 and returned to Earth in December. It retrieved a total of 1,731 grams of lunar samples, mainly rocks and soil from the moon’s surface.

Source: CGTN