A cave on the Moon was discovered and determined by scientists that it can be used as a shelter for future space explorers . The cave on the Moon was located not far from where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the lunar surface 55 years ago.
Scientists think there could be hundreds of other caves on Earth's natural satellite that could accommodate astronauts on future lunar research missions.
The research team led by Italian scientists announced this discovery on July 15 local time in the journal Nature Astronomy.
New research shows that this cave is quite large, accessible from the deepest crater on the moon Sea of Tranquility. This cave is about 400 km from the landing site of the Apollo 11 spacecraft .
Similar to more than 200 other craters on the Moon, the Sea of Tranquility was created by collapsing lava caves.
Researchers analyzed radar measurements from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and compared the results to lava caves on Earth.
Radar data has revealed an early part of the underground cave. Scientists estimate that this cave is at least 40 meters wide, dozens of meters long and is likely to be longer and wider.
"Moon Caves have remained a mystery for more than 50 years. Therefore, it is great to be able to prove their existence" - scientists Leonardo Carrer and Lorenzo Bruzzone of the University of Trento, Italy - shared. .
Most craters, like the Sea of Tranquility, are located in ancient lava plains on the Moon. There are also likely to be several such craters at the Moon's south pole - the site where NASA astronauts are expected to land later this decade. There are permanently covered craters that are believed to contain frozen water that could provide drinking water and rocket fuel.
During NASA's Apollo program, 12 astronauts landed on the Moon, starting with Armstrong and Aldrin on July 20, 1969.
AP points out that new research by Italian scientists shows that there are likely hundreds of holes on the Moon, along with thousands of lava caves.
Such places could serve as natural shelters for astronauts, protecting them from cosmic rays and solar radiation as well as micrometeor attacks.
According to the research team, building habitats in caves on the Moon is likely to take a lot of time and face many challenges, including the need to reinforce cave walls to avoid the risk of the cave collapsing. collapse.
In addition, rocks and other materials inside caves on the Moon can also help scientists better understand the Moon's development process, especially related to the Moon's volcanic activities.
