An international team of scientists has confirmed the existence of a significant lunar cave linked to a pit in the Mare Tranquillitatis region on the moon. This discovery could be a game-changer for future lunar exploration, providing potential shelter from the moon's extreme temperatures and radiation.
The research team found the cave by analyzing archival radar data collected by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2010. The cave, located at an underground depth of 130 to 170 meters, measures at least 45 meters wide and between 30 and 80 meters long. This discovery offers the first direct evidence of a subsurface conduit on the moon.
Leonardo Carrer, coauthor and assistant professor at the University of Trento, expressed surprise at proving the existence of a lunar cave. The team believes further exploration could reveal more about the moon’s evolution and volcanic activity.
Lunar caves offer a stable environment, with temperatures remaining around 63 degrees Fahrenheit, in contrast to the extreme surface temperatures. Tyler Horvath, a doctoral student at UCLA, highlighted the benefits these caves could provide to astronauts and rovers by shielding them from hazards such as radiation and micrometeorites.
The newly discovered cave may require creative solutions for exploration, such as using rock-climbing gear or robotic cranes. Future missions might involve more permanent structures like freight elevators to access the cave.
Noah Petro from NASA emphasized the importance of continued lunar exploration, noting that the discovery of such caves could significantly impact the planning of future missions. As the race to establish a long-term human presence on the moon intensifies, these findings provide a promising glimpse into new possibilities for lunar habitation and exploration.
