评论
打印
A new study suggests sources of water on the moon are more widespread than previously thought.
一项新的研究表明，月球上的水资源比人类之前以为的更丰富。
The study was based on new examinations of data collected by India’s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft.
这项研究是基于对印度月船1号宇宙飞船收集的数据的新检查。
It launched in October 2008 and collected data while orbiting the moon for about a year.
它于2008年10月发射升空，在绕月运行约一年的过程中收集了相关数据。
Chandrayaan-1 has already provided evidence of water on the moon.
月船1号提供了月球上有水的证据。
In September 2009, scientists published a study based on data from the Indian space mission.
2009年9月，科学家们根据这项印度太空任务的数据发表了一份研究。
The data showed the presence of molecules linked to water, as well as the substance hydroxyl.
数据显示，月球上存在与水有关的分子，以及物质羟基。
The American space agency NASA describes hydroxyl (OH) as “a molecule made up of one hydrogen atom and one oxygen atom with a free (unpaired) electron.”
美国航天局NASA称羟基(OH)是“由一个氢原子和一个氧原子与一个自由(未配对)电子组成的分子”。
It notes it is “one of the most reactive gases in the atmosphere” and can help break down other gases in the air.
它指出，它是“大气中活性最强的气体之一”，可以帮助分解空气中的其他气体。
The 2009 study suggested the water molecules identified by Chandrayaan-1 data were mainly found in the moon’s extreme northern and southern areas, known as the poles.
2009年的研究表明，月船1号的数据确定的水分子主要存在于月球最北端和最南端，也就是所谓的两极。
Scientists said the data from that study showed most of the water probably existed in large craters near the poles where sunlight is blocked.
科学家说，这项研究的数据显示，月球上的大多数水可能存在于两极附近的大型陨石坑中，那里阳光无法直射。
But new examinations of the data show that water and hydroxyl molecules likely exist over much wider areas of the moon.
但对数据的新检查表明，月球上可能有更多区域存在水和羟基分子。
In addition, the research suggests water is even present in areas of the moon receiving direct sunlight.
此外，研究表明，月球上接受阳光直射的区域甚至也存在水。
The instrument aboard Chandrayaan-1 that captured the molecule data is called the Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3).
月船1号上捕获分子数据的仪器被称为月球矿物测绘仪(M3)。
NASA built and operated the instrument. The space agency describes M3 as an “imaging spectrometer.”
这台仪器由NASA建造和操作。航天局称M3是“成像光谱仪”。
A spectrometer is an instrument used to study the chemical composition and structures of substances.
光谱仪是一种用来研究物质的化学成分和结构的仪器。
On the Chandrayaan-1 mission, the spectrometer aimed to map the mineral composition of materials on the moon’s surface.
在月船1号任务中，光谱仪的目标是绘制月球表面材料的矿物组成图。
Researchers examined this data and centered their search on areas outside the lunar poles.
研究人员检查了这些数据，并将集中搜索了月球两极以外的区域。
They found that the sources of water and hydroxyl are believed to be contained in minerals on or just below the moon’s surface.
他们发现，水和羟基应该是源于月球表面或略低于月球表面的矿物中。
Scientists involved in the research recently reported their results in a study published in the Planetary Science Journal.
参与这项研究的科学家最近在《行星科学杂志》上发表的一项研究中报告了他们发现的结果。
The research was led by Roger Clark, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute.
这项研究由行星科学研究所的资深科学家罗杰·克拉克领导。
In a press release announcing the findings, the researchers noted their discovery was made possible by data that the M3 instrument collected.
在宣布这一发现的新闻稿中，研究人员指出，他们的发现是根据M3仪器收集的数据得来的。
They explained the instrument provides highly detailed data using imaging and infrared technologies.
他们解释说，该仪器使用成像和红外线技术提供非常详细的数据。
The M3 instrument, for example, can identify 85 different colors in its examinations of mineral compositions.
例如，M3仪器在检查矿物成分时可以识别85种不同的颜色。
This compares to normal digital cameras, which generally only record three colors.
这与普通的数码相机形成了鲜明对比，它们通常只能记录三种颜色。
The researchers said, “Just like we see different colors from different materials, the infrared spectrometer can see many (infrared) colors to better determine the composition, including the water and hydroxyl."
研究人员说，就像我们看到不同材料有不同的颜色一样，红外光谱仪可以看到许多(红外)颜色，可以更好地确定其成分，包括水和羟基。
The team noted the water might have resulted from heating of rocks and soil or from chemical reactions that combined different hydroxyls to produce water, as well as oxygen.
研究小组指出，水可能源自岩石和土壤的加热，或者源自不同的羟基结合起来产生水和氧气的化学反应。
Clark, from the Planetary Science Institute, said both cratering and volcanic activity can bring water-rich materials to the surface.
来自行星科学研究所的克拉克说，陨石坑和火山活动都可以将富含水的物质带到地表。
He noted that both are observed in the newly examined data.
他指出，在新检查的数据中都观察到了这两种情况。
“We see a lunar surface with complex geology with significant water in the sub-surface and a surface layer of hydroxyl.”
“我们看到月球表面有复杂的地质情况，地下有大量的水，地表有羟基。”
The discovery, Clark said, can be helpful to future exploration efforts on the moon.
克拉克说，这一发现对未来的月球探测工作有帮助。
“Future astronauts may be able to find water even near the equator by exploiting these water-rich areas.”
“未来的宇航员也许能开发这些富水地区，甚至在赤道附近也能找到水。”
He added, “Knowing where water is located not only helps to understand lunar geologic history, but also where astronauts may find water in the future.”
他补充说，“知道哪里有水不仅有助于了解月球地质历史，也能帮助宇航员知道未来可能在哪里找到水。”
I’m Bryan Lynn.
我是布莱恩·林恩。
