Fact-Check Article: "On the moon, exposed liquid water wouldn't freeze during the day"
What We Know
The claim that "on the moon, exposed liquid water wouldn't freeze during the day" is misleading. Current scientific understanding indicates that the Moon has extreme temperature variations due to its lack of atmosphere, which leads to significant thermal fluctuations. During the lunar day, temperatures can soar to around 127 degrees Celsius (260 degrees Fahrenheit) in sunlit areas, while at night, they can plummet to approximately -173 degrees Celsius (-280 degrees Fahrenheit) in shadowed regions (NASA's Moon Water and Ices).
Water on the Moon is primarily found in the form of ice, especially in permanently shadowed regions that never receive sunlight. These areas are extremely cold and can harbor large amounts of water ice. Conversely, in sunlit areas, any water present is not in liquid form but rather as individual molecules or as hydrated minerals mixed with lunar dust (NASA Scientist Explains Moon Water).
In 2020, NASA confirmed the presence of water molecules on the sunlit surface of the Moon, but the concentrations are very low, estimated to be equivalent to a 12-ounce bottle of water per cubic meter of lunar soil (NASA's Moon Water and Ices). This indicates that while water exists, it does not accumulate as liquid pools due to the extreme temperatures.
Analysis
The assertion that liquid water would not freeze during the lunar day contradicts the established scientific understanding of lunar conditions. The Moon's surface experiences extreme temperatures that would cause any exposed liquid water to evaporate almost instantly. The lack of atmosphere means there is no pressure to keep water in a liquid state, leading to rapid evaporation or freezing depending on the temperature conditions (Lunar Water - Wikipedia).
A thought experiment discussed in a New Space Economy article illustrates that if liquid water were introduced to a sun-heated lunar surface, it would quickly evaporate due to the intense heat and lack of atmospheric pressure. This aligns with findings that any water present on the Moon's surface is primarily in solid form (ice) or as water molecules bound to minerals, rather than as free-flowing liquid water.
The sources used in this analysis are credible, including NASA's official reports and scientific literature. The information is corroborated by multiple studies and observations from lunar missions, which have consistently indicated that while water exists on the Moon, it is not in the form of liquid pools, especially in sunlit areas (NASA finds water on the Moon, What's all the fuss about water on the Moon?).
Conclusion
The claim that "on the moon, exposed liquid water wouldn't freeze during the day" is False. The extreme temperatures on the lunar surface, particularly in sunlit areas, would cause any exposed liquid water to evaporate rather than remain in a liquid state. Current scientific evidence supports that water on the Moon is primarily found as ice in permanently shadowed regions and as trace amounts of water molecules in sunlit areas, but not as liquid water.
