Astronomers have found a cave on the moon
Such structures could serve as habitats for future astronauts
FROM AN ESTATE agent’s perspective, the lunar surface has little to recommend it. Its none-too-metaphorical lack of atmosphere means it is bombarded by meteorites, cosmic radiation is unrelentingly harsh and temperatures range from lows of -246°C to highs of 121°C. Subsurface lunar caves, on the other hand, with stable temperatures and cover from projectiles, would be much more enticing habitats. The only question is, do any exist?
This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “One giant leap for troglodytes”
From the July 20th 2024 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Science and technology
How Ukraine’s new tech foils Russian aerial attacks
It is pioneering acoustic detection, with surprising success
The deep sea is home to “dark oxygen”
Nodules on the seabed, rather than photosynthesis, are the source of the gas
Augmented reality offers a safer driving experience
Complete with holograms on the windscreen
Clues to a possible cure for AIDS
Doctors, scientists and activists meet to discuss how to pummel HIV
AI can predict tipping points before they happen
Potential applications span from economics to epidemiology
H5N1 avian flu could cause a human pandemic
Existing immunity and vaccines may soften its severity