About a decade ago, the Moon was thought to be bone dry. But things started to change a few years ago when a series of findings started suggesting that there are traces of water on the lunar surface.

Well, it turns out there's more water on the Moon than we originally thought. Two new studies that were published in Nature Astronomy yesterday tells us that there's more water on the moon. In fact, it looks like there's ice stored in permanently shadowed "cold traps" in the polar regions. Who would've thought, right?

NEWS: We confirmed water on the sunlit surface of the Moon for the 1st time using @SOFIAtelescope. We don’t know yet if we can use it as a resource, but learning about water on the Moon is key for our #Artemis exploration plans. Join the media telecon at https://t.co/vOGoSHt74c pic.twitter.com/7p2QopMhod

The study provides chemical proof that the Moon holds molecular water, even in the sunlit areas. The water is thought to be trapped in glass beads or some other substance that's protecting it from the harsh environments of the Moon. It's believed that this water could be used as a resource for human exploration.

Obviously, it remains to be exactly how much water is present there. If, and only if there's abundant water, it could be used as drinking water, breathable oxygen, or even as rocket fuel.

Another study has found that there are billions of micro-craters on the Moon's southern pole, with each holding a minuscule amount of water ice. Approximately, 40,000 km2 of the lunar surface is expected to have the capacity to trap water.

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