New Study Suggests Moonquakes Caused by Left-Behind Spacecraft
CNN – A recent study has revealed that a spacecraft left behind by US astronauts on the lunar surface could be causing small tremors, known as moonquakes. The study, which analyzed Apollo-era data using modern algorithms, brought to light a previously unknown form of seismic activity on the moon.
According to the study, the extreme temperature swings experienced on the moon cause human-made structures to expand and contract, producing vibrations. The lunar surface oscillates between temperatures as low as minus 208 degrees Fahrenheit in the dark and as high as 250 degrees Fahrenheit in direct sunlight.
By using artificial intelligence, scientists were able to gain a deeper understanding of the Apollo-era data, pinpointing gentle tremors emitted from an Apollo 17 lunar lander module. This module was located just a few hundred yards away from the instruments recording the moonquakes.
Although these moonquakes are not dangerous and would likely go unnoticed by humans standing on the moon’s surface, understanding them is crucial for future lunar exploration. NASA and its partners have the goal of building a permanent outpost on the moon’s surface through their Artemis lunar exploration program. This knowledge will help determine the strength required for lunar structures and identify any hazards that need to be mitigated.
Dr. Angela Marusiak, an assistant research professor at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, highlighted the importance of this data analysis in answering key questions about lunar seismology.
The study focused on the Apollo 17 mission, which took place in 1972 and left behind a seismometer array capable of detecting thermal moonquakes caused by the heating and cooling of the lunar surface. By revisiting the data, scientists concluded that a specific type of moonquake, called an impulsive thermal moonquake, resulted from the nearby spacecraft’s heating and cooling process.
It is hoped that future lunar missions, such as India’s Chandrayaan-3, will provide a more comprehensive understanding of lunar seismic activity. The Chandrayaan-3 mission, which included a seismometer, has already detected a moonquake near the lunar south pole. More data will be collected when the spacecraft wakes up on September 22.
Despite the lack of shifting tectonic plates on the moon, seismic events can occur due to the moon’s active interior. Understanding these events will not only contribute to lunar research but also assist in the design of future experiments and missions.
The researchers express optimism about the potential new insights that can be gained by delving into Apollo-era data using modern technology. The moon’s unique position as the only planetary body, apart from the Earth, to have multiple seismometers gives scientists an unparalleled opportunity to study seismic activity on another celestial body.
As scientists continue to analyze the data and plan for upcoming missions, they hope to unlock more secrets about the moon’s seismic activity and further our understanding of this fascinating celestial object.