Trento, Italy – Establishing a human habitat on the Moon has long been a daunting challenge, but a recent discovery might provide a significant breakthrough. An analysis of radar data has revealed a gaping hole in the lunar crust, suggesting the presence of a network of caves that could serve as shelters for future lunar explorers. These cavities, known as “skylights,” have been theorized for over five decades, and we now have evidence of their existence.
“These caves have been theorized for over 50 years, but it is the first time ever that we have demonstrated their existence,” says astronomer Lorenzo Bruzzone of the University of Trento in Italy.
The Moon’s environment is extremely inhospitable to human physiology. It lacks a breathable atmosphere, and its temperatures are extreme, fluctuating from a scorching 121 degrees Celsius (250 Fahrenheit) during the day to a frigid -133 degrees Celsius (-208 Fahrenheit) at night. Additionally, the Moon’s surface is bombarded with harmful solar and cosmic radiation, from which Earth’s atmosphere protects us.
Promise of Lava Tubes
Lava tubes, created when lava flows beneath a solidified surface and then drains away, leaving a hollow cavity, offer a potential solution. These natural caves can occur in any volcanic region and have been found on Earth, Mars, and are now confirmed on the Moon.
Lunar lava tubes are of particular interest to scientists planning lunar exploration missions because they could provide natural protection against the Moon’s harsh surface conditions. However, positively identifying these cave systems has been challenging. Now, a team led by astronomer Leonardo Carrer of the University of Trento has made a breakthrough.
Groundbreaking Radar Analysis
The team reanalyzed radar data collected in 2010 by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, focusing on an ancient lunar basalt plain called the Sea of Tranquillity. The orbiter detected a skylight, a hole in the lunar surface, which forms when part of a lava tube collapses.
“Years later we have reanalyzed these data with complex signal processing techniques we have recently developed, and have discovered radar reflections from the area of the pit that are best explained by an underground cave conduit,” Bruzzone explains. “This discovery provides the first direct evidence of an accessible lava tube under the surface of the Moon.”
Modeling the Lunar Tunnel
The researchers then modeled the shape of the tunnel beneath the skylight, concluding that the best explanation for the structure was a lava tube extending from the skylight into the Moon’s interior. This discovery is a significant step towards identifying suitable sites for long-term lunar bases.
While the Sea of Tranquillity has already been visited by humans, and the polar regions of the Moon hold promising features such as craters with potential water ice, the confirmation of one lava tube suggests that many more may exist, waiting to be discovered.
“This research,” says planetary geologist Wes Patterson of Johns Hopkins University, “demonstrates both how radar data of the Moon can be used in novel ways to address fundamental questions for science and exploration and how crucial it is to continue collecting remotely sensed data of the Moon.”
Identifying these lava tubes could greatly influence the selection of landing sites for future crewed missions, offering a safer and more sustainable option for establishing a human presence on the Moon.
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