NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has recently uncovered what could be the deepest known cave on the moon, located in Mare Tranquillitatis. This cave features a 330 feet (100 meters) wide 'skylight' entrance, making it a fascinating discovery for potential future lunar exploration.
Researchers at the University of Trento in Italy have shed light on the Mare Tranquillitatis Pit in a paper published in Nature Astronomy. This pit is one of approximately 200 similar features on the moon, known as pits, which could potentially lead to caves or lava tubes. Pits are believed to form when sections of a lava tube's ceiling collapse, with some directly exposing the interior, known as skylights.
The Mare Tranquillitatis Pit is estimated to be 426-557 feet (130–170 meters) deep, 98-262 feet (30–80 meters) long, and around 148 feet (45 meters) wide, with vertical or overhanging walls and a sloping floor. The pit is thought to be accessible, raising the possibility of further exploration.
One proposed mission, LunarLeaper, aims to investigate lunar pits using a hopping robot. By focusing on the Marius Hills pit in the Oceanus Procellarum region, scientists hope to uncover more about these intriguing features and assess their potential for exploration by rovers or astronauts.
Furthermore, the discovery of volcanic tubes and caves on the lunar plains suggests the presence of natural shelters that could protect astronauts from harmful radiation, extreme temperatures, and micrometeorites. Previous research indicates that these caves and tubes can experience significant temperature variations, reaching up to 260 degrees Fahrenheit (127 degrees Celsius) during the day and dropping to minus 280 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 173 degrees Celsius) at night.
Similar features have also been observed on Mars, with the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter capturing images of pits that could potentially serve as shelters for future astronauts. These findings highlight the importance of exploring these underground structures for potential human habitation beyond Earth.
As space exploration continues to advance, the discovery of caves and lava tubes on celestial bodies like the moon and Mars opens up new possibilities for scientific research and future human missions beyond our planet.
