NASA to bomb moon in water probe

SCIENTISTS hope to make a splash by “bombing” the Moon with two spacecraft today.

The plan is to slam the projectiles into a dark crater, kicking up a 9.9km high dust cloud which may contain water.

British researchers helped NASA pick the spot for the drama, which will be broadcast live on the American space agency’s website.

The Cabeus south polar region was identified by the University of Durham team as a site with high concentrations of hydrogen – a component of water. It is believed water ice could lie in dark craters.

The spacecraft consist of an orbiter, Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS), and its 2.2tonne launch rocket.

In the early hours of the morning, Irish time, the probe and rocket will separate. Then at 12.31pm the rocket will smash into the crater at 9,010kmh, blasting out 350 tonnes of debris in a 9.9km high plume.

Following behind, the LCROSS satellite beaming live pictures to Earth will fly through the material and then plunge into the crater.

Amateur astronomers in dark parts of the world will be able to view the spectacle through their instruments. But daylight will make this impossible in Ireland.

Dr Vincent Eke said: “If ice is present in the permanently shaded lunar craters of the Moon then it could potentially provide a water source for the eventual establishment of a manned base on the Moon.”