Italian scientists discovered a cave near the Moon's Sea of Tranquility, part of a potential lava tube system that could offer natural shelter for future astronauts.
Scientists have confirmed the existence of a cave on the moon near the Sea of Tranquility, approximately 250 miles from the Apollo 11 landing site. Believed to be accessible from the deepest known pit on the moon, the cave is thought to be part of a lava tube system. An Italian-led team discovered the pit using radar measurements taken by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and compared their findings to lava tubes on Earth. The research suggests that there could be hundreds of similar caves on the moon, which could provide natural shelter for future astronauts, protecting them from cosmic rays, solar radiation, and micrometeorite strikes.
July 15, 2024
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