A home base for future moon explorers could be found in lunar pits, which would be warmer than the lunar surface. New research shows that the pits stay at a comfortable temperature.
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles have found that the moon has pits that can keep the temperature down. The rest of the lunar surface can get as high as 260 degrees during the day and as low as minus 260 degrees at night.
The long days and nights of the moon cause the temperature to change a lot. The pits are a promising location for a future moon base to make conditions more manageable for explorers.
Some of the pits are believed to be related to lava tubes. The caves form when molten lava flows beneath cooler lava. A pit can open up when the ceilings collapse.
According to a NASA statement, about 16 of the more than 200 pits are likely collapsed lava tubes.
There are plans to send robotic missions to explore the lava tubes in order to learn more about the moon.
The data from the LRO was used to determine the pit temperature. There is a depression around 100 meters deep in the LRO imaged pits. The overhang of rock in the pit prevents it from getting too hot during the day and it also keeps the heat in at night.
LRO project scientist Noah Petro said that lunar pits are fascinating. Knowing that they create a stable thermal environment helps us paint a picture of the unique lunar features.
There is research published in the journal.
There is a recommended video.
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