ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 hints at ice deposits on the moon and water reserves | Mint<img src='https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=6035286&cv=4.4.0&cj=1'>SubscribeSign inView Market DashboardHomeLatest NewsMarketsMarket NewsMark to MarketCommoditiesLive BlogsCryptocurrencyIPOStock MarketsMarket DataStock PagesIndex pagesBullionGold SilverFuelPetrolDieselNewsIndiaWorldWSJEconomistUS NewsTrendsPremium e-paperGlobal Partners WSJEconomistBarron'sMint SpecialsMint ExplainersMark to MarketLong StoryMint PrimerSnapviewSectionsCompaniesTechnologyMarketsMoneyMutual FundsInsuranceAutoIndustryPersonal FinanceCompaniesStart-upsCompany ResultsPeopleMoneyPersonal FinanceInsurance Ask Mint MoneyMutual FundsMyMintChampions Trophy 2025 LIVEPersonal LoanTechnologyGadgetsTech ReviewsApp News5G TechFoldable SmartphonesMint HindiMoreElection 2025OpinionAuto NewsSportsChampions Trophy Points TableChampions Trophy Most RunsChampions Trophy Most WicketsEducationTools IFSC Code FinderIncome Tax CalculatorMint LoungeMintGenie Multi-MediaVideosWebStories Photo GalleryPodcastsExplore MintAbout usPrint subscriptionMint AuthorsSubscriber terms of usePrivacy PolicyTerms of UseDisclaimerMint codeCookie PolicyCode of ethicsSitemapContact UsHindustan TimesLive HindustanHealthshotsCredit Card Hello UserSign inSign OutMy AccountSubscribeMy WatchlistNewslettersNotificationsMy ReadsFor YouView Less -View More +Data InsightsMarket DashboardBullionGoldSilverFuelPetrolDieselCommoditiesGoldGoldMAluminumMenthaoilSilverSilverMICGoldPetalNatural GasCopperZincSilverMCrudeOilGoldGinueaLeadCryptoCurrenciesView Less -View More +Top SectionsToday's NewsIndia NewsWorld NewsUS News TodayBudget 2025EconomyMoney NewsPersonal FinanceQ&AOpinionCompany Business NewsIPO NewsStart-upsCompany ResultsTop Company LeaderStock Market NewsStock MarketsCommodity NewsMark To MarketIPO NewsLive Blogpersonal loanpersonal loan emi calculatorPersonal Loan Interest RatePersonal Loan EligibilityBusiness LoanInstant LoanElection Results 2025Assembly Elections 2025Indian Industry AnalysisBanking NewsInfotech NewsInfrastructureAgricultureManufacturingEnergy NewsRetail NewsAuto NewsSports NewsOpinionViewsColumnsTechnology NewsGadgetsTech ReviewsApp NewsPolitics NewsLoungeBusiness of LifeSports NewsIPL 2025 IPL 2025 Points Table IPL 2025 Orange CapIPL 2025 Purple CapIPL Match Today | IPL 2025 ScheduleEducation News TodayView Less -View More +Premium Offeringse-paperWSJEconomistBarron'sMyMintMint PremiumView Less -View More +Tools and CalculatorsIFSC Code FinderIncome Tax CalculatorSIP CalculatorEMI CalculatorHome Loan EMI CalculatorCar Loan EMINPS CalculatorView Less -View More +MultiMedia CollectionsVideosWebStoriesPhoto GalleryPodcastsView Less -View More +More From MintMint GenieMint LoungeMint HindiView Less -Explore MintAbout UsPrint SubscriptionMint AuthorsTerms of UseDisclaimerMint CodeCode of ethicsCookie PolicyPrivacy PolicySubscriber - Terms of UseSITEMAPContact UsMint AppsView Less -View More +Copyright © HT Digital Streams Limited All Rights Reserved.ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 hints at ice deposits on the moon and water reservesResearch from India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission reveals more widespread ice presence near the Moon’s poles than previously thought. Variations in local temperatures influence ice formation, offering insights into the Moon's geological history and potential resources for future lunar exploration. LivemintUpdated7 Mar 2025, 03:08 PM ISTNew research based on data from India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission suggests that ice may be present at more locations beneath the Moon’s surface near the poles than previously believed.(HT)New research based on data from India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission suggests that ice may be present at more locations beneath the Moon’s surface near the poles than previously believed. The study, published inCommunications Earth and Environment, highlights how local temperature variations can influence ice formation, shedding light on its origins and movement over time.Lead author Dr Durga Prasad Karanam, from the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, explained that examining these ice particles could reveal insights into the Moon’s early geological history. The study analysed temperature readings taken at depths of up to 10 centimetres beneath the lunar surface, recorded by the ‘ChaSTE’ probe aboard the Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander.Chandrayaan-3, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from Bengaluru, successfully achieved a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole on 23 August 2023. The landing site, later named ‘Shiv Shakti Point’, sits at approximately 69 degrees south latitude.Temperature fluctuations and ice formationThe research team found that surface temperatures at the landing site varied dramatically, with daytime peaks reaching around 82 degrees Celsius and plunging to -170 degrees Celsius at night. Just a metre away from the landing point, on a flatter surface, peak temperatures were lower, around 60 degrees Celsius.Also Read | NASA veteran hails Chandrayaan-3, calls it a breakthrough for Moon’s water hunt!Notably, the difference in temperatures was attributed to the lander’s location on a slight incline, which increased solar radiation exposure. This led the researchers to develop a model assessing how slope angles influence surface temperatures at high lunar latitudes. Their findings indicate that slopes facing away from the Sun, at an angle of 14 degrees or greater, may be cold enough to allow ice to accumulate near the surface.Implications for future lunar missionsThe study’s findings have significant implications for future lunar exploration, including NASA’s planned Artemis missions, which aim to land astronauts near the Moon’s south pole. The researchers suggest that ice could be more widespread and accessible than previously assumed, potentially serving as a vital resource for future human exploration and habitation.However, Dr Karanam clarified that liquid water cannot exist on the Moon due to the extremely low atmospheric pressure, meaning that ice would sublimate directly into vapour rather than melting into liquid form. He emphasised the need for further measurements and innovative techniques to extract and utilise ice for long-term lunar sustainability.The study’s authors concluded that the ChaSTE findings indicate fine-scale variations in lunar regolith temperatures and highlight high-latitude regions as promising locations for water-ice scouting and resource prospecting. They noted that such sites could be scientifically valuable while also posing fewer technical challenges compared to regions closer to the Moon’s poles.Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.Business NewsScienceNewsISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 hints at ice deposits on the moon and water reservesMoreLessFirst Published:7 Mar 2025, 03:07 PM ISTGet Instant Loan up to ₹10 Lakh!Enter Mobile NumberEmployment TypeSalariedSelf-Employed BusinessApply NowMost Active StocksMarket SnapshotTop GainersTop Losers52 Week HighTrending In Market IRFC share priceJio Financial share price Multibagger SME stock Tata group stocksSME IT stockIPO News Today Live Recommended For YouMore RecommendationsGold Prices24K22KFuel PricePetrolDieselPopular in ScienceStory Url has been added to your clipboardDownload AppDownload the Mint app and read premium storiesTrending StoriesIndian stock market SA VS NZ LIVE Score Kedarnath MCX gold rate RBI Ramadan 2025 Paan masala banned ICC Champions Trophy 2025 ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Points Table ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Most Runs ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Most Wickets Livemint Hindi Bank Holidays in Gujarat Bank Holidays in Delhi Bank Holidays in September Income Tax Calculator 2025 Bank Holidays in Jammu And Kashmir Instant Personal Loan Check Credit Score Online Business Loan Personal Loan Interest Rate Personal Loan Eligibility Personal Loan EMI Calculator Gold Rate in Delhi Gold Rate in Bangalore Gold Rate in Chennai Gold Rate in Hyderabad Gold Rate in Mumbai Business Radio - FAB Play Assembly Election Results Credit Card Personal Loan Online Gold Rate India Bank Holidays India Stocks to Buy Today Recommended Stocks to Watch Popular StocksJSW INFRASTRUCTURE share priceR R KABEL share priceCONCORD BIOTECH share priceIDBI Bank share priceYes Bank share priceAdani Power share priceHUL share priceIndian Oil share priceVedanta share priceJio Financial Services share pricePaytm share pricePunjab National Bank share priceCanara Bank share priceAdani Green Energy share priceIndian Railway Finance Corporation share priceSuzlon Energy share priceIREDA share priceVodafone Idea share priceOrient Technologies share pricePremier Energies share priceBajaj Housing Finance Share PriceGaruda Construction And Engineer share priceHyundai Motor India share priceNifty 50 companiesADANI ENTERPRISES share priceADANI PORTS share priceAPOLLO HOSPITALS share priceASIAN PAINTS share priceAXIS BANK share priceBAJAJ AUTO share priceBAJAJ FINANCE share priceBAJAJ FINSERVE share priceBPCL share priceBHARTI AIRTEL share priceBRITANNIA share priceCIPLA share priceCOAL INDIA share priceDIVIS LABORATORIES share priceDR REDDYS LABORATORIES share priceEICHER MOTORS share priceGRASIM INDUSTRIES share priceHCL TECHNOLOGIES share priceHDFC BANK share priceHDFC LIFE share priceHERO MOTOCORP share priceHINDALCO INDUSTRIES share priceHINDUSTAN UNILEVER share priceICICI BANK share priceITC share priceINDUSIND BANK share priceINFOSYS share priceJSW STEEL share priceKOTAK BANK share priceLARSEN & TOURBO share priceMAHINDRA & MAHINDRA share priceMARUTI SUZUKI share priceNTPC share priceNESTLE INDIA share priceONGC share pricePOWER GRID share priceRELIANCE INDUSTRIES share priceSBI LIFE share priceSBI share priceSUN PHARMA share priceTCS share priceTATA MOTORS share priceTATA STEEL share priceTATA CONSUMER share priceTECH MAHINDRA share priceTITAN share priceUPL share priceULTRATECH CEMENT share priceWIPRO share priceLatest StoriesSectionPremiumOpinionNewsMarketPoliticsCompaniesMoneySportsMutual FundIndustryTechnologyToolsIFSC Code FinderIncome Tax CalculatorSIP CalculatorHome Loan EMI CalculatorCar Loan EMINPS CalculatorData PagesMarket DashboardIndicesTop GainerMutual FundsGold PriceSilver PriceFuel PriceAbout UsMint AuthorsContact usTerms of UseCode of EthicsPrivacy PolicyRSSCopyright © 2025 HT Digital Streams Limited. 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