Scientists have confirmed the existence of a cave on the moon, not far from where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed 55 years ago, and they believe there are hundreds of other caves that could house future astronauts.
An Italian-led team reported Monday evidence of a large cave accessible from the deepest known crater on the moon. The cave is located in the Sea of Tranquility, just 250 miles (400 kilometers) from the Apollo 11 landing site.
The crater, like more than 200 others discovered there, was created by the collapse of a lava tube.
The researchers analyzed radar measurements taken by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and compared the results to lava tubes on Earth. Their findings are published in the journal Nature Astronomy.
According to scientists, the radar data reveals only the first part of the underground cavity. Scientists estimate that it is at least 130 feet (40 meters) wide and tens of meters long, perhaps more.
“Lunar caves have remained a mystery for more than 50 years. So it was exciting to finally be able to prove the existence” of one, Leonardo Carrer and Lorenzo Bruzzone of the University of Trento wrote in an email to The Associated Press.
During NASA’s Apollo program, 12 astronauts landed on the Moon, starting with Armstrong and Aldrin on July 20, 1969.
The results suggest that there may be hundreds of craters on the Moon and thousands of lava tubes.
the Study of nature The cave could be “a promising site for a lunar base, as it provides shelter from the harsh surface environment and could support long-term human exploration of the Moon,” he said.
However, building the habitat from scratch would take longer and be more challenging, even when taking into account the potential need to reinforce the cave walls to prevent collapse, according to the research team.
British astronaut Helen Sharman CBS partner told BBC News: Humans are expected to be able to shelter in lunar craters like this within 20 to 30 years, but they may need “jet packs or an elevator” to get out because of the depth of the cave.
The rocks and other materials inside these caves — which have remained unchanged by harsh surface conditions over the ages — could also help scientists better understand how the moon evolved, especially in relation to its volcanic activity.
Scientists around the world continue to add to the archive of lunar research. Just a few weeks ago, China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe returns to Earth after collecting rock and soil samples From the surface of the moon. Chinese scientists hope the findings will help shed light on the differences between the two sides of the moon, which have unique geographical characteristics.
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