Source: [ Ссылка ]


Discover the fascinating world beneath the Moon's surface! In this video, we explore groundbreaking evidence of caves on the Moon, uncovered by an international team of scientists using data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). By re-analyzing radar data collected in 2010, the team found a cave extending more than 200 feet from the base of a pit in Mare Tranquillitatis. This discovery suggests a network of subsurface caves, potentially stretching for miles, providing new insights into the Moon's geological features and opening up exciting possibilities for future exploration and habitation.

Transcript:

"An international team of scientists has discovered evidence of caves beneath the Moon’s surface using data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO.

By re-analyzing radar data collected by LRO’s Mini-RF instrument in 2010, the team found a cave extending more than 200 feet from the base of a pit.

This discovery adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting a network of subsurface caves on the Moon.

The radar data from LRO’s Mini-RF instrument, collected in 2010, was re-examined by the team, revealing the presence of a cave.

This re-analysis is crucial as it provides new insights into the Moon’s geological features.

"Now the analysis of the Mini-RF radar data tells us how far these caves might extend," said Noah Petro, LRO project scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

The pit, where the cave was discovered, is located 230 miles northeast of the first human landing site on the Moon in Mare Tranquillitatis. While the full extent of the cave is unknown, it could potentially stretch for miles beneath the lunar mare.

This finding is significant as it opens up new possibilities for understanding the Moon’s subsurface structure and its potential for future exploration.

Scientists have long suspected the existence of subsurface caves on the Moon, similar to those on Earth.

Pits that may lead to caves were first suggested in images from NASA’s lunar orbiters before the Apollo missions. A pit was confirmed in 2009 by images from JAXA’s Kaguya orbiter, and many more have been found since through images and thermal measurements taken by LRO.

Lunar caves are believed to form in a manner similar to Earth’s lava tubes. When molten lava flows beneath a field of cooled lava, or a crust forms over a river of lava, it leaves a long, hollow tunnel. If the ceiling of a solidified lava tube collapses, it opens a pit, like a skylight, leading into the cave-like tube.

Launched on June 18, 2009, LRO has collected invaluable data with its seven powerful instruments, significantly enhancing our knowledge of the Moon’s surface and subsurface features.

NASA’s return to the Moon with commercial and international partners aims to expand human presence in space.

This new evidence of lunar caves could provide new opportunities for exploration and habitation, bringing back unprecedented knowledge and possibilities."

Tags: #NASA #LRO #LunarCaves #MoonExploration #SpaceDiscovery #MiniRF #Astronomy #Science #SpaceResearch

Subscribe for more updates on space discoveries and explorations!

свернуть