On Oct. 19, the LCROSS mission guided a spent Centaur rocket stage and its shepherding craft to dual impacts at crater Cabeus near the moon's south pole. The impeding strikes grabbed headlines and spawned observing parties at science centers and planetariums. Anticipation ran high as impact time neared, but many were crestfallen as expectations of a visible debris plume were met by an unchanged vista at the target crater.

Last week, the LCROSS team announced preliminary findings.

Ground based observatories and the Hubble Space Telescope also reported negative observations. But the LCROSS team did see something. In the weeks since the impact, scientists have carefully sifted though data collected by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the instrument-laden shepherding spacecraft. What they found could completely reshape our priorities for future space exploration.

Working through the LCROSS data, mission scientists examined spectral curves detected in the impact plume. Many combinations of materials were tested against the curves. But the best fit was the spectral signature of water.

Past orbiters and rock samples from Apollo missions only hinted at water's presence. A number of Apollo sample return boxes leaked, so potential contamination from earthbound sources could not be ruled out. Lunar orbiters detected low concentrations diffusely spread across the lunar surface, telling us that water was there in some form. Scientists had long theorized that water ice was present in permanently shadowed polar craters. But conclusive evidence remained elusive until LCROSS.

According to NASA, "The argument that the Moon is a dry, desolate place no longer holds water." Comments made by LCROSS project scientist and principal investigator, Anthony Colaprete, further bolster the case: "There is too much water to be just absorbed in the soil. There has to be real solid ice there. You could melt it and drink it."

Water could be used by future lunar missions to supply a permanent base and create rocket fuel. Transporting water from Earth is cost prohibitive and with water ice at the lunar poles, it makes the moon a feasible launch point for missions to Mars and beyond.

It is clear that extended, manned spaceflight presents many challenges. But now that we know water exists on the lunar surface, the question becomes, will our nation's leaders and the public support a return to the moon? Such action is essential if we are to satisfy our quest for knowledge and new discoveries.

Come Saturday for a star party at Cerrillos Hills State Park. Catch a view of the new crescent moon and other celestial treats. This event is supported by New Mexico State Parks' award-winning "Reach for the Stars" initiative. Start time is
7 p.m. and everyone is invited. For more information, please contact Cerrillos Hills State Park at 474-0196.

Peter Lipscomb shares the wonder of the night sky as lead guide for Astronomy Adventures and works to promote sensible and energy-efficient lighting practices. He keeps a blog at www.eyesfullofstars.com. Contact him at pslipscomb@gmail.com.