Washington — The moon lacks the bodies of liquid water that are a hallmark of Earth but scientists say lunar water is more widespread than previously known, with water molecules trapped within mineral grains on the surface and more water perhaps hidden in ice patches residing in permanent shadows.

While research 11 years ago indicated water was widespread in small amounts on the moon, a team of scientists is now reporting the first unambiguous detection of water molecules on the lunar surface. At the same time, another team is reporting that the moon possesses about 40,000km2 of permanent shadows that potentially could harbour hidden pockets of water in the form of ice...

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