Lunar radiotelescope detects signals from Milky Way at moon’s south pole

In a groundbreaking achievement for astronomical research, a team from the University of Colorado Boulder has successfully collected radio data from the Moon, specifically near the Malapert A crater close to the Moon's South Pole. This unprecedented endeavor involved the use of a very low frequency radio telescope, demonstrating that radio astronomy can effectively operate from the Moon's surface despite its landing difficulties. The data collected provided a modest detection of the Milky Way, revealing radio emissions caused by high-energy particles spiraling in the galaxy's magnetic field, a feat that has not been accessible from Earth due to radio frequency interference and the absorptive nature of Earth's ionosphere. From the Moon, particularly its far side, frequencies ranging from tens of kHz to 50 MHz can be explored, which have been previously deemed useless for scientific inquiry since the Apollo program's cessation over five decades ago. The research team, led by Joshua Hibbard, a doctoral candidate in astrophysics, highlighted the significance of these frequencies for uncovering cosmic phenomena. With plans for future missions on the Moon, including the Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment-Night set to launch in early 2026 aimed at observing the universe's Dark Ages, the potential for scientific advancement is promising. The forthcoming project, named FarView, aims to implement a massive array of 100,000 dipole radio antennas on the lunar far side. This initiative, supported by the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program, is intended to facilitate the detection of polarized radio emissions from cosmic rays associated with exoplanets. Jack Burns, a co-author and professor emeritus of astrophysics, expressed enthusiasm about meeting with NASA to discuss a prototype for the FarView mission. The exploration of the 21-cm signal of neutral hydrogen from the universe’s early epochs stands as one of the project’s primary scientific objectives, with implications for testing cosmological models and understanding the universe’s structure. The implications of these investigations could be immense, particularly for cosmology and exoplanet studies. The unique conditions of the lunar environment offer unprecedented opportunities for capturing radio signals that can elucidate our understanding of the universe’s formative years, free from the complications of interference that hinder observations made from Earth. The momentum generated by the success of this initial data collection could lead to further investment and exploration in lunar-based astronomy, paving the way for advancements in our understanding of fundamental astrophysical processes.