Scientists have discovered a cave beneath the surface of the Moon that could be accessible for future lunar explorers. This underground chamber is located not far from the Apollo landing site, specifically around 400 kilometers away from the “Sea of Tranquility,” where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first set foot on the Moon 55 years ago.
Researchers analyzed radar measurements from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and compared the findings to lava tubes on Earth. Their findings, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, indicate that the subterranean cave could provide protection from the harsh lunar environment and support long-term human exploration.
This makes the cave a promising site for lunar research, offering shelter from cosmic rays, solar radiation, and micrometeorites, which are natural hazards for space travelers.
The analysis revealed that the “Sea of Tranquility” leads to the deepest known pit on the Moon, with dimensions similar to 14 tennis courts—45 meters wide and 85 meters long. The cave is located about 150 meters below the surface and, like over 200 other pits discovered on the Moon,
it was formed from the collapse of a lava tube. Such natural shelters could serve as immediate lunar havens, offering protection from harmful cosmic and solar radiation, as well as micrometeorites.
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