spacetoday.net: Hubble looks for lunar resources

Posted: Thu, Oct 20, 2005, 8:46 AM ET (1246 GMT)
Hubble image of lunar surface (STScI)

Scientists are using the Hubble Space Telescope to locate oxygen-bearing minerals on the lunar surface, a discovery that could prove useful for future human exploration of the Moon. Hubble took the first high-resolution images of the moon at ultraviolet wavelengths, comparing those images with data collected during the Apollo lunar landings. Initial analysis of the images, taken of both Apollo landing sites and other geographically diverse regions, indicate the potential presence of oxygen-rich glassy soils in some locations. Scientists cautioned, though, that it will take several months to complete their analysis. NASA hopes that the observations will help refine the agency's plans for robotic and eventually human exploration of the Moon.