ACEIZE Tracking the current state of Science and Technology

The Indian Space Research Organization has reported that they found the signature of organic compounds in the lunar surface. This finding following the collision and data gathering of ISRO's Nov, 2008 Moon Impact Probe. The organic compounds detected were carbon molecules in the presence of some other element such as Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, etc. These molecules can be formed under a wide variety of conditions and do not necessarily mean that life is present, or has ever been present. The organic compounds are essential building blocks for life, however.

Generally, the harsh conditions in space will break down more complex molecules such as organics. However, the MIP crashed into a frozen crater, the Shackleton Crater. The theory is that cold temperatures have a tendency to preserve these complex organic molecules.

NASA has also reported organic compounds on the moon. These were found during the lunar landings of the 1960's as well as with the LCROSS data from earlier this year.