LUNAR TUNNEL DISCOVERY COULD MAKE A HOME ON THE MOON POSSIBLE QUITE SOON
The idea of visiting the Moon has been around since many of us thought it was just a giant hunk of cheese in the sky. Somehow, we managed to actually do that decades ago, regardless of what conspiracy theorists say. But the next exciting idea, despite visiting again being exciting, is actually living on the Moon. The logistics are complicated and expensive to make this a reality. But the recent discovery of a lunar tunnel could make it that much closer to reality. Being underground would make things a lot easier, especially if we don’t have to dig a tunnel somehow in space ourselves.
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THE THEORY OF A LUNAR TUNNEL HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 50 YEARS, NOW IT’S ACTUALLY REAL
The discovery of the lunar tunnel was made by researchers at the University of Trento, using images from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, aka the LRO. It marks a huge intelligence step, as there have been theories for 50 years that tunnels like these exist. But now we know! And even better, this tunnel is accessible from the surface. In other words, we don’t have to dig to get to it. This lunar tunnel, or literal Moon cave, is actually near where Neil Armstrong made that first giant leap for mankind. It’s in Mare Tranquillitatis, which is a lava plain.
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GROUND RADAR INDICATES LUNAR TUNNEL IS PLENTY SPACIOUS, AND A NECESSARY SHELTER
Ground radar gives us some idea of its size, which appears to be roughly 80 meters long, and 45 meters wide. And the advantages of trying to live on the Moon underground are manifest. Temperatures on the surface can range anywhere from minus 173 degrees Celcius at night, to a boiling 127 degrees Celsius while the sun is “out.” And then there’s how a lunar tunnel would provide ready-made protection from radiation, which can be as much as 150 times stronger than here on planet Earth. And let’s not forget all those craters on the Moon. It’s harder to get hit by a meteorite when you’re underground.
Of course, whoever gets there first will be able to claim rights to make a moon base there. I suspect the race is on.
