Can we find water ice on the moon? Only if we know where to look, scientists say

An illustration of an astronaut wearing white standing on the edge of a giant crater on the moon.

Earth's moon is a treasure trove of resources. Space agencies around the world are planning missions to access and use lunar volatiles, which include hydrogen, water, helium, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, in order to produce fuel sources, breathable air, and even drinking water  —  all with the goal of establishing long-term presences on the moon.

But much is unknown about the availability of water ice on the moon, or even what data is missing that could help fine-tune lunar exploration by both robotic probes and human explorers. That's why an upcoming meeting of international experts will meet to discuss today's state of knowledge regarding volatiles in the lunar polar regions.