Cave Discovered on the Moon

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — An Italian-led team of scientists has confirmed the existence of a significant cave on the moon, located near the historic Apollo 11 landing site. The cave, situated at the Sea of Tranquility, is estimated to be at least 130 feet wide and potentially much longer. This discovery, reported on Monday, suggests that there may be hundreds of similar caves on the lunar surface, which could serve as potential habitats for future astronauts. The cave was found near the deepest known pit on the moon, approximately 250 miles from where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made their historic landing in 1969. Researchers believe that many of these lunar caves are formed in the moon's ancient lava plains, with additional possibilities existing at the moon's south pole, where NASA plans to land astronauts later this decade. These areas are thought to contain permanently shadowed craters that may harbor frozen water, a vital resource for future missions. The findings indicate that these natural shelters could protect astronauts from harmful cosmic rays, solar radiation, and micrometeorite impacts, making them preferable to constructing habitats from scratch. However, the team noted that reinforcing cave walls may be necessary to prevent collapses. Additionally, the unaltered rocks and materials within these caves could provide valuable insights into the moon's geological history and volcanic activity. The Associated Press Health and Science Department, supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group, reports that the AP is solely responsible for the content.