Europe's unmanned SMART-1 probe established itself in orbit around the moon today after being captured by the moon's gravitational pull. It's next job will be to adjust its orbit and prepare for its research mission to examine the moon's surface and help determine the origins of our planet's satellite.

First, SMART-1 will look for signs of water on the moon's surface. Scientists believe it would exist only in the form of ice which may be located deep inside lunar craters at the moon's poles where sunlight cannot reach.

The European probe will also conduct experiments to determine if the moon was created from the earth and disloged after a violent collision millions of years ago. In order to do this, the probe will examine the surface of the moon and determine if the elements present are similar to those on earth.

'The moon is a key witness of the early conditions when life emerged on our planet. As the daughter of the Earth, she holds keys for understanding our origins and for preparing for the future exploration of the solar system,' said Bernard Foing, ESA's SMART-1 project scientist.

The SMART-1 probe is solar powered and reached the moon 13 months after being launched. Scientists hope the probe can give information for at least six months but it may be able to continue providing information for a year or more if conditions are ideal.