ttp://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200411/s1252715.htmEnergy source: The moon is thought to hold tonnes of helium 3. (Reuters)
Moon gas may solve Earth's energy crisis
A potential gas source found on the moon's surface could hold the key to meeting future energy demands as the earth's fossil fuels dry up in the coming decades, scientists say.
Mineral samples from the moon contain abundant quantities of helium 3, a variant of the gas used in lasers and refrigerators.
"When compared to the earth the moon has a tremendous amount of helium 3," Lawrence Taylor, a director of the US Planetary Geosciences Institute, said.
"When helium 3 combines with deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen) the fusion reaction proceeds at a very high temperature and it can produce awesome amounts of energy.
"Just 25 tonnes of helium, which can be transported on a space shuttle, is enough to provide electricity for the US for one full year."
How nice it would be to tell the Middle East where to stick their oil!
Moon gas may solve Earth's energy crisis
A potential gas source found on the moon's surface could hold the key to meeting future energy demands as the earth's fossil fuels dry up in the coming decades, scientists say.
Mineral samples from the moon contain abundant quantities of helium 3, a variant of the gas used in lasers and refrigerators.
"When compared to the earth the moon has a tremendous amount of helium 3," Lawrence Taylor, a director of the US Planetary Geosciences Institute, said.
"When helium 3 combines with deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen) the fusion reaction proceeds at a very high temperature and it can produce awesome amounts of energy.
"Just 25 tonnes of helium, which can be transported on a space shuttle, is enough to provide electricity for the US for one full year."
How nice it would be to tell the Middle East where to stick their oil!
