Neutrons on the Moon: Canadian Innovation in Lunar Exploration

Canadian researchers are breaking new ground in lunar exploration by harnessing the remarkable ability of neutrons to penetrate the Moon’s surface and reveal hidden stores of water. By taking advantage of this unique property, scientists hope to uncover valuable information about the composition of lunar soil. The Canadian Space Agency is set to deploy a Canadian rover, joining forces with NASA and other international partners, on a mission dedicated to searching for water on the Moon.

To help find water, which is essential for human survival, as well as other important elements, the rover will carry an instrument called the Lunar Hydrogen Autonomous Neutron Spectrometer (LHANS), provided by Bubble Technology Industries of Chalk River, Ontario.

This instrument detects neutrons, which are sensitive to small atoms like hydrogen, which comprises two-thirds of water. By observing the energy of neutrons emanating from lunar soil, the rover can identify signs of hydrogen and help determine if water ice exists on the Moon.

Back on Earth, scientists across Canada rely on the same sensitivity of neutrons to hydrogen to conduct world-leading research on materials. For instance, they use bright neutron beams to examine hydrogen-rich substances to address key priorities including hydrogen fuel technologies for transportation and research related to health and disease, considering that approximately 60% of the human body consists of hydrogen.

Canadian physicist Bertram Brockhouse was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering work with neutron beams for material studies. Neutron beams have since become indispensable tools globally, providing unique insights that complement those obtained from the intense x-ray beams at the Canadian Light Source. Neutrons are particularly effective in detecting smaller atoms, whereas x-rays are more adept at identifying larger ones.

As the Canadian Lunar Rover prepares for its mission, the world will watch with anticipation to see how neutrons will unlock insights into the Moon’s hidden secrets and contribute to the future of space exploration.