In Search of Lunar Water at Northern Hemisphere

Longitudinal-latitudinal profile of surface number density distribution of lunar water (atomic mass unit 18) for mid-latitude to high-latitude/polar region has been studied for the first time for sunlit lunar exosphere during the pre-sunrise, day, sunset and midnight using the CHACE II on board Chandrayan-2 for northern hemisphere of Moon. Diurnal variation of relative abundance of water in terms of surface number density indicates pre-sunrise enhancement as per theoretical expectation. The quantitative validation of number density shows a substantial amount of water reserve at the lunar surface at high and mid latitude. There is a clear indication of shifting of water towards the poles has been found which is in line with previous Chandrayaan missions and LADEE mission results.