Downgraded Estimates Reveal Less Water Ice on the Moon

New estimates by planetary scientists suggest that the Moon contains significantly less water ice than previously thought, with the oldest permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) forming no more than 3.94 billion years ago. This finding has implications for plans to establish a long-term human presence on the lunar surface and use the Moon as a base for crewed missions to other solar-system bodies. While the overall estimates for the amount of water ice on the Moon need to be revised downward dramatically, more accurate maps of where the largest concentrations of ice can be expected have been obtained, aiding in the selection of landing sites.