BENGALURU: The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) on the Pragyan rover has reconfirmed the presence of sulphur at the south pole of the moon. The Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) on the rover also detected the presence of sulphur the other day.

Sulphur was discovered in the experiments conducted on the soil and rocks on the lunar surface. LIBS also discovered the elements such as aluminium, calcium, chromium, iron, titanium, silicon, and magnesium.

Sulphur was not expected to exist on the moon's surface. However, with the presence of sulphur getting reconfirmed, scientists are now investigating its source. Sulphur is a volatile element. If it is there on the moon, then water must be there in the form of ice. Sulphur survives only in moist conditions. Otherwise, the sulfur may have been formed by a recent volcanic eruption or impact by a meteorite or comet. Meanwhile, the fact that the lander has not been able to detect the presence of hydrogen baffles scientists. Hydrogen must be present for water ice to form. The presence of water ice was indicated in the data sent by Chandrayaan-1's Moon Impact Probe.

It is believed that the data from the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer may help explain how sulphur formed on the Moon. This is the first time that the presence of various elements has been confirmed by direct testing of lunar soil. APXS was developed by the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.