File photo of Chang'e 3 (Photo/Xinhua)
China's Chang'e 3 lunar probe has proven that there is no water on the moon, according to the official Weibo account of CCTV News on July 31.
The lunar-based ultraviolet telescope on China's Chang'e-3 has confirmed that no water exists in an ancient lunar "sea" known as Mare Imbrium ("the Sea of Rains").
"We've measured the amount of water on the lunar surface and above, but only found the lowest quantities so far, which is in line with the expectations of experts on the formation of the moon," said Wei Jianyan, a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Seven terabytes of data collected by Chang'e 3, including pictures and videos, have been shared with thousands of Chinese scientific institutions and universities for laboratory analysis.
Chang'e 3 made the first-ever geological map of the moon using a lunar-penetrating radar, and also discovered a new type of rock, lunar basalt, providing insight into the evolution of the moon as well as more of a basis to explore its resources.
Chang'e 3 entered its 33rd dormancy period on July 28, setting a record for the longest work time for an active lunar probe, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, which is in charge of China's space program.
