For decades, the moon was seen as a barren, bone-dry world with no atmosphere, no liquid water, no magnetic shield, and extreme swings in temperature. The idea that it could ever support life seemed far-fetched. But recent discoveries are changing that view.

Thanks to new space missions and advanced analysis of lunar rocks and soil, scientists have found surprising signs of water—not just on the surface, but deep within. Some studies suggest the moon’s interior may hold as much water as Earth’s upper mantle, urging scientists to rethink its history and potential.

In this gallery, explore the latest discoveries that are transforming our understanding of the moon and revealing its unexpected potential to support life, whether in the distant past, the present, or the possibilities of the future.

For as long as we’ve looked up at the night sky, the moon has felt like an old friend, mysterious and full of wonder. It has inspired our stories, guided our dreams, and reminded us how deeply we long to reach beyond our own world.

Scientists believe the moon was born from a massive impact about 4.5 billion years ago. While it’s unclear how much water survived that violent event, new models suggest that some water molecules may have been trapped in the debris, eventually becoming part of the moon itself.

Evidence of water found in lunar basalt samples at concentrations of several hundred parts per million has scientists weighing two possibilities: either water survived the moon’s violent formation, or it arrived soon after through asteroid impacts.

After it formed, the moon was likely covered in a deep ocean of molten rock. As this magma cooled, it released gases into space, creating short-lived atmospheres that may have helped shape the moon’s early environment.

New research suggests the moon’s volcanic activity may have created a temporary atmosphere that lasted around 70 million years. An earlier, thicker atmosphere, formed after the moon’s molten phase, could have lingered even longer.

Instead of lingering on the surface, water may have been more stable underground. Scientists believe it could have collected in tiny pockets within the thick, broken rock layer created by ancient asteroid impacts, similar to subsurface environments found on Earth.

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