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Caves deep in the moon may become future human bases, scientists reveal new discoveries on the moon

Release time:2024-11-04

Scientists recently discovered a 100-meter-deep cave on the moon. This major discovery may provide new possibilities for humans to build bases on the moon in the future. Researchers speculate that this cave may be just one of the "undiscovered underground worlds" on the moon, and there may be hundreds of similar caves hidden under the lunar surface. In the future, bases built in these caves will help protect astronauts from the extreme temperatures, cosmic radiation and harsh space weather on the moon.


Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut to enter space, is optimistic about the discovery, saying that the cave may provide an ideal place to establish a permanent residence on the moon. Sharman believes that humans may be able to live in such lunar caves in the next 20 to 30 years. However, Sharman pointed out that due to the depth of the cave, it will be a challenge for astronauts to enter and leave, which may require the use of ropes, jetpacks or lifting equipment.


Mysterious lunar cave: underground passages discovered by radar detection


Using radar penetration technology, scientists Lorenzo Bruzzone and Leonardo Carrer from the University of Trento in Italy detected the existence of this cave in a crater in the "Sea of Tranquility" area of the moon. This location is also the landing area of Apollo 11's first moon landing in 1969. Studies have shown that the entrance of the cave extends down along a vertical cliff, and there may be inclined layers leading to deeper depths. Scientists speculate that these caves are tunnels and tunnels formed by the flow of lava on the surface of the moon millions or even billions of years ago.


Professor Carrer compared this cave to volcanic caves on Earth, such as the volcanic tunnels on Lanzarote Island in Spain. They also went to these caves on Earth to conduct research in person to better understand the causes and characteristics of lunar caves. Professor Carrer excitedly said: "The discovery and image display of these caves made us realize that we may be the first people in human history to see them with our own eyes."


Professor Bruzzone also pointed out that this discovery provides hope for the establishment of a lunar base in the future. He added: "One of the places where life originated on Earth is caves, so it is natural for humans to choose caves as a place to live on the moon."


Future plans for exploring lunar caves: radar, robots, and cameras work together to map the moon


Currently, the cave has not been fully explored, and scientists plan to use advanced tools such as ground-penetrating radar, cameras and robots to map its structure in order to better understand the size, topography and characteristics of the cave. About 50 years ago, scientists first speculated that there might be caves on the moon. In 2010, the US Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter took photos of some lunar craters, suggesting that these craters might be the entrances to the caves, but their depth and stability were not certain at the time.


Bruzone and Carrel's research confirmed the depth and structure of the cave through advanced radar technology, laying the foundation for subsequent exploration. Francesco Sauro, coordinator of the European Space Agency's planetary cave research team, said that although we have images of the lunar surface with a resolution of 25 cm, we know very little about the structure beneath the lunar surface, which makes future exploration potential huge. Solo also pointed out that the research results of lunar caves may help Mars exploration and provide ideas for finding life on Mars, because caves on Mars may also be places where life exists.


The scientific value of lunar caves: Treasures that reveal the history of the moon and the solar system


Scientists emphasize that lunar caves are not only suitable for the establishment of human bases, but may also provide unique opportunities for studying the history of the moon and even the evolution of the solar system. Because the rocks inside the caves are not weathered or eroded by the space environment, they may retain geological information from billions of years ago, helping scientists study the details of the early history of the moon and the solar system.


As major space agencies and companies around the world are advancing lunar exploration and base construction, Bruzone and Carrel's research results undoubtedly provide new directions for future lunar missions. At present, many countries including the United States, Russia, and China are formulating plans for lunar bases, and lunar caves provide natural barriers for these bases, which can provide astronauts with a safer habitat.


The relevant research on this discovery has been published in the journal Nature Astronomy, indicating the possibility of humans establishing permanent settlements on the moon in the future. The sheltered environment in the cave can not only extend the time humans stay on the moon, but also greatly improve the safety of astronauts. With the further development of exploration technology, humans may unveil the mystery of the lunar underground world and turn it into a frontier base for exploring the universe. This exploration journey is not only a new footprint left by humans in the universe, but also a preliminary attempt to explore an extraterrestrial home.



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