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Following up on a report from 2011, comes confirmation that, instead of a base on the moon, a better idea might be a base inside the moon:
"Japan's space agency said it had discovered an enormous cave beneath the lunar surface that could be turned into an exploration base for astronauts."
"The chasm, 50km (31 miles) long and 100 metres wide, appears to be structurally sound and its rocks may contain ice or water deposits that could be turned into fuel, according to data sent back by the orbiter, nicknamed Kaguya after the moon princess in a Japanese fairytale."
According to a science news article by UPI (United Press International):
In a new study published this week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, scientists confirmed the presence of a large lava tube among the Marius Hills, a series of lunar lava domes.
The open lava tube could serve like a giant bunker, providing shelter from the harsh conditions on the moon's surface. In their study, scientists argue lava tubes offer ideal protection from extreme temperature swings, radiation and meteorite impacts.
Lava tubes form when the outer edges of a lava flow harden into crust and the remaining lava drains away, leaving an empty cylinder.
"It's important to know where and how big lunar lava tubes are if we're ever going to construct a lunar base," Junichi Haruyama, a senior researcher at JAXA, Japan's space agency, said in a news release. "But knowing these things is also important for basic science. We might get new types of rock samples, heat flow data and lunar quake observation data."
Scientists have known about the Marius Hills Skylight, the opening to the newly discovered lava tube. But until now, they weren't sure what the entrance led to.
When JAXA's SELENE spacecraft bounced radar off the area, the data revealed an echo-like signature suggesting the waves were bouncing back off the floor and ceiling of a tube-like structure. Gravity data from NASA's GRAIL mission also revealed an absence of mass beneath the surface surrounding the Marius Hills Skylight.
The combination of the two datasets helped scientists get a better idea of how deep and far the cavity stretched beneath the lunar surface.
"Our group at Purdue used the gravity data over that area to infer that the opening was part of a larger system," said Jay Melosh, a researcher on the GRAIL mission and a professor of planetary science at Purdue. "By using this complimentary technique of radar, they were able to figure out how deep and high the cavities are."
(Score: 3, Interesting) by looorg on Friday October 20 2017, @12:40PM (8 children)
We might have somewhat different ideas about colonization but I'm fairly certain that Europeans did a bang up job of colonizing both the Americas and Africa, and a few more places. Sure it took some hard work, a genocide or two and then that whole slavery thing. But we got shit done eventually. No time to be a softy. If anything colonization of the moon should be a lot easier then since there are no indigenous population we have to pacify first. Question might be whom to send instead. I guess we could always do an Australia v2.0 and start sending the unwanted and criminals there first to get the ball rolling. If (or when) they croak it won't be as harsh as if some astronaut dies. Robots will probably be better tho, less food stuff required and you can pack them tighter in transport.
I'm more interested in seeing whom the Russians and the Chinese are going to send, they don't tend to have our new found sensitivities when it comes to human rights and such. I suspect military first, perhaps a moon penal colony after.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 20 2017, @01:10PM (2 children)
You are a psychopath.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by looorg on Friday October 20 2017, @02:13PM (1 child)
We can't all be sensitive delicate flowers. Someone has to get the job done.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 20 2017, @08:16PM
Fucking psycho and you don't even see it, just hide behind some bullshit bootstrapping phrase.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 20 2017, @01:27PM (1 child)
"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" (Mark 8:36 [biblehub.com])
(Score: 3, Insightful) by bob_super on Friday October 20 2017, @05:53PM
Cold. Hard. Cash.
And all the amazing privileges it entails.
Any follow-up questions?
(Score: 1, Redundant) by DannyB on Friday October 20 2017, @05:31PM
I will mention the book "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress". I notice it has already been mentioned elsewhere here.
To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug mouse into other computer. Right-click, paste.
(Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Friday October 20 2017, @05:32PM
Well if you're gonna be brutal about it send the Chinese to do the hard work, suffer construction accidents, etc., just like was done with the Trans-Continental Railroad. Then when they're done, assert prior claim, take possession, and kick them out.
Nah, don't think it will work this time. The Chinese are quickly catching up in the military department and are just as likely to turn it around on the West.
Washington DC delenda est.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Friday October 20 2017, @05:43PM
Hey, I use Linux I'll halve you know.
To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug mouse into other computer. Right-click, paste.