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Scientists have discovered a cave on the moon, which could serve as a shelter for future astronauts. This cave is located near the Sea of Tranquility, just 400 km from where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed 55 years ago. The discovery was made by an Italian-led team who reported their findings in Nature Astronomy.
Potential Shelter for Future Astronauts
The cave is accessible from the deepest known pit on the moon, created by the collapse of a lava tube. Researchers used radar measurements from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to confirm its existence. They compared these results with lava tubes on Earth to estimate the cave's size. According to their analysis, the cave is at least 40 metres wide and tens of metres long.
"Lunar caves have remained a mystery for over 50 years. So it was exciting to be able to finally prove the existence," Leonardo Carrer and Lorenzo Bruzzone of the University of Trento wrote in an email.
Protection from Harsh Conditions
The scientists believe there are hundreds more such pits on the moon, mostly located in ancient lava plains. Some might also be at the moon's south pole, where NASA plans to land astronauts later this decade. These permanently shadowed craters are thought to contain frozen water, which could be used for drinking and rocket fuel.
During NASA's Apollo programme, 12 astronauts landed on the moon, starting with Armstrong and Aldrin on July 20, 1969. The newly discovered caves could offer natural protection from cosmic rays, solar radiation, and micrometeorite strikes. Building habitats from scratch would be more time-consuming and challenging than using these natural shelters.
Insights into Moon's Evolution
The rocks and materials inside these caves remain unaltered by harsh surface conditions over eons. This can help scientists understand how the moon evolved, especially its volcanic activity. The findings suggest there could be thousands of lava tubes on the moon that might provide valuable insights into its geological history.
The discovery of this sizable cave opens up new possibilities for future lunar exploration and habitation. It highlights the potential of using natural formations as shelters, reducing the need for constructing habitats from scratch.
