A new study suggests sources of water on the moon are more widespread than previously thought.
一项新的研究表明，月球上的水源比之前想象的更为广泛。
The study was based on new examinations of data collected by India’s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft. It launched in October 2008 and collected data while orbiting the moon for about a year.
这项研究基于对印度月船一号航天器收集的数据的新检查。它于 2008 年 10 月发射，并在绕月飞行约一年的时间里收集数据。
Chandrayaan-1 has already provided evidence of water on the moon. In September 2009, scientists published a study based on data from the Indian space mission. The data showed the presence of molecules linked to water, as well as the substance hydroxyl.
Chandrayaan-1 已经提供了月球上有水的证据。 2009 年 9 月，科学家发表了一项基于印度太空任务数据的研究。数据显示存在与水相连的分子以及羟基物质。
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.” It notes it is “one of the most reactive gases in the atmosphere” and can help break down other gases in the air.
美国宇航局 NASA 将羟基 (OH) 描述为“由一个氢原子和一个氧原子以及一个自由（不成对）电子组成的分子”。它指出它是“大气中最具反应性的气体之一”，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. Scientists said the data from that study showed most of the water probably existed in large craters near the poles where sunlight is blocked.
2009年的研究表明，月船一号数据识别出的水分子主要存在于月球的极北和极南区域，即两极。科学家表示，该研究的数据显示，大部分水可能存在于两极附近阳光被阻挡的大陨石坑中。
But new examinations of the data show that water and hydroxyl molecules likely exist over much wider areas of the moon. In addition, the research suggests water is even present in areas of the moon receiving direct sunlight.
但对数据的新检查表明，水和羟基分子可能存在于月球更广泛的区域。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). NASA built and operated the instrument. The space agency describes M3 as an “imaging spectrometer.” A spectrometer is an instrument used to study the chemical composition and structures of substances.
Chandrayaan-1 上捕获分子数据的仪器称为月球矿物学绘图仪 (M3)。美国宇航局建造并操作了该仪器。该航天局将 M3 描述为“成像光谱仪”。光谱仪是用于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. Researchers examined this data and centered their search on areas outside the lunar poles. They found that the sources of water and hydroxyl are believed to be contained in minerals on or just below the moon’s surface.
在月船一号任务中，光谱仪的目的是绘制月球表面材料的矿物成分图。研究人员检查了这些数据，并将搜索集中在月极以外的区域。他们发现水和羟基的来源被认为包含在月球表面或正下方的矿物质中。
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高级科学家罗杰·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. They explained the instrument provides highly detailed data using imaging and infrared technologies.
在宣布这一发现的新闻稿中，研究人员指出，他们的发现是通过 M3 仪器收集的数据实现的。他们解释说，该仪器利用成像和红外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. This compares to normal digital cameras, which generally only record three colors.
例如，M3 仪器在检查矿物成分时可以识别 85 种不同的颜色。与普通数码相机相比，普通数码相机通常只记录三种颜色。
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的不同颜色一样，红外光谱仪可以看到许多（红外）颜色，以更好地确定成分，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，这些水可能是由岩石和土壤加热产生的，或者是由不同羟基结合产生水和氧气的化学反应产生的。
Clark, from the Planetary Science Institute, said both cratering and volcanic activity can bring water-rich materials to the surface. He noted that both are observed in the newly examined data. “We see a lunar surface with complex geology with significant water in the sub-surface and a surface layer of hydroxyl.”
行星科学研究所的克拉克表示，陨石坑和火山活动都会将富含水的物质带到地表。他指出，在新检查的数据中观察到了这两种情况。 “我们看到月球表面地质复杂，地下有大量水，表面有羟基。”
The discovery, Clark said, can be helpful to future exploration efforts on the moon. “Future astronauts may be able to find water even near the equator by exploiting these water-rich areas.”
克拉克说，这一发现可能有助于未来的月球探索工作。 “未来的宇航员甚至可以通过开发这些水资源丰富的地区来找到水，甚至在赤道附近。”
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：“了解水的位置不仅有助于了解月球地质历史，而且有助于宇航员将来可能在哪里找到水。”