For the first time, scientists have discovered a cave on the moon, estimated to be at least 100 meters deep. This discovery could be pivotal for establishing a permanent human base on the lunar surface, offering protection from radiation, extreme temperatures, and space weather. Researchers believe this cave is just one of potentially hundreds hidden in an “underground, undiscovered world.”
A prime candidate for a lunar base
Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut, told BBC News that the newly discovered cave appears to be an ideal location for a lunar base. She suggested that within 20-30 years, humans could potentially be living in such lunar pits. However, due to its depth, astronauts might need to use advanced techniques like abseiling or “jet packs or a lift” to enter and exit the cave.
Discovering the cave
Lorenzo Bruzzone and Leonardo Carrer from the University of Trento in Italy discovered the cave using radar to penetrate the opening of a pit in Mare Tranquillitatis, a rocky plain visible from Earth, and the landing site of Apollo 11 in 1969. The cave features a skylight leading to vertical and overhanging walls, with a sloping floor that could extend further underground.
Geological significance
Formed millions or billions of years ago by flowing lava, the cave’s closest Earth equivalent would be the volcanic caves in Lanzarote, Spain, which the researchers visited as part of their work. “It’s really exciting. When you make these discoveries and you look at these images, you realize you’re the first person in the history of humanity to see it,” said Prof. Carrer.
Once the size of the cave was understood, it became clear that it could be an ideal spot for a lunar base. Prof. Carrer remarked, “After all, life on Earth began in caves, so it makes sense that humans could live inside them on the Moon.” Although the cave has yet to be fully explored, the researchers hope to use ground-penetrating radar, cameras, or robots to map it.
Historical context and future implications
Scientists speculated about lunar caves around 50 years ago, and in 2010, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission captured images of pits believed to be cave entrances. However, their depth and structural integrity remained unknown until now. Prof. Bruzzone and Prof. Carrer’s work has answered these questions, opening new avenues for lunar exploration.
Francesco Sauro, Coordinator of the Topical Team Planetary Caves of the European Space Agency, emphasized the vast potential for discovery beneath the Moon’s surface. “We have very good images of the surface – up to 25cm of resolution – we can see the Apollo landing sites – but we know nothing about what lies below the surface.”
The research could also inform the exploration of caves on Mars, potentially uncovering evidence of life by examining protected environments. Additionally, the lunar cave might provide insights into the history of the Moon and our solar system, as its rocks are less damaged or eroded by space weather, offering a geological record spanning billions of years.
The research findings are published in the scientific journal Nature Astronomy.
