近日，在透露了一項 “令人激動的月球新發現” 后，美國國家航空航天局公布了地球唯一的天然衛星上存在水的確鑿證據。  

Scientists have previously found signs of ice on the Moon and water vapour in its thin atmosphere.

科學家們此前已經在月球上發現了冰存在的跡象，也在月球稀薄的大氣中發現了水蒸氣存在的跡象。

But this, they say, is unambiguous evidence of H2O on its surface. And there appears to be more of it than previously thought.

但科學家們表示，這個發現是月球表面存在水分子的確鑿證據。而且水分子的含量似乎比以前想象的還要多。

The discoveries could be hugely important for Nasa's plans to return astronauts to the Moon by 2024. Tapping into natural resources, particularly water, will be key to a permanent future lunar base.

這些發現可能對美國國家航空航天局在2024年前將宇航員送回月球的計劃非常重要。開發自然資源，特別是水資源，將是建造未來永久月球基地的關鍵。

Nasa wants future crewed missions to be much longer and much more sustainable. And finding a source of water could be the key to making the lunar surface not just a place to visit but a place to stay.

美國國家航空航天局希望未來的載人飛行任務能更長久、更可持續的存在。而找到水源可能是實現這一目標的關鍵：不僅讓月球表面成為一個太空旅行的目的地，而是讓它成為一個可停留的場所。

詞匯表

water vapour 水蒸氣
thin 稀薄的
unambiguous 明確的
tapping into 開發，利用
natural resources 自然資源
permanent 永久的
crewed missions 載人航天飛行
sustainable 可持續的，可長期進行的
source of water 水源

閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題。

1. True or false? Scientists have found clear evidence of H2O on the surface of Moon.

2. What have scientists previously found on the Moon, according to the text?

3. When does Nasa plan to return astronauts back to the Moon?

4. How does Nasa want their future crewed missions to be different to previous trips to the Moon?

答案

1. True or false? Scientists have found clear evidence of H2O on the surface of Moon.
True. Nasa say there is unambiguous evidence of H2O on its surface.

2. What have scientists previously found on the Moon, according to the text?
Scientists have previously found signs of ice on the Moon and water vapour in its thin atmosphere.

3. When does Nasa plan to return astronauts back to the Moon?
Nasa plans to return astronauts back to the Moon by 2024.

4. How does Nasa want their future crewed missions to be different to previous trips to the Moon?
They want their future crewed missions to be longer and more sustainable.