Scientists and space explorers have been on the hunt to determine where and how much ice is present on the Moon. Water ice would be an important resource at a future lunar base, as it could be used to support humans or be broken down to hydrogen and oxygen, key components of rocket fuel. University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa researchers are using two innovative approaches to advance the search for ice on the Moon.

The SETI Institute announced it will expand its pilot program funded through a grant from the Amateur Radio and Digital Communication (ARDC) Foundation now called ARISE Lab (arise.seti.org). This initiative brings SETI science to community colleges and provides hands-on training for community college instructors and students in astronomy, digital signal processing, and radio science.

"Hands-on experiences are proven to improve student engagement and retention," said Dr. Vishal Gajjar, project lead and radio astronomer at the SETI Institute. "With ARISE, we’re combining cost-effective tools like GNU Radio with one of the most captivating topics in science — the search for life beyond Earth — to spark curiosity and build skills across STEM disciplines.”

A planet 140 light-years from Earth is rapidly coming apart due to its close proximity to its star. The roasting planet is effectively evaporating away: It sheds an enormous amount of surface minerals as it whizzes around its star.

Lunar surface characteristics—mineral composition, geology, and environment—are vital for lunar science. Spectral imagers enable non-destructive mineral analysis, making them key payloads in exploration. With growing demand for high-resolution spectral-spatial data, the challenges on data processing increases. This paper reviews existing spectral data, instruments, and scientific findings, addressing technical challenges like preprocessing and mineral mapping. Advancements in spectral imaging and data processing will significantly boost lunar and planetary research, enabling deeper geological insights and potential resource assessment. Furthermore, hyperspectral data will support manned missions by identifying lunar minerals and their distribution.