Space & Astronomy

Scientists confirm first ever discovery of a cave on the Moon

By T.K. Randall
July 15, 2024

Image: Full Moon
Credit: Thom Rains / CC BY 3.0 (adapted) Thought to descend 100 meters beneath the lunar surface, this fascinating opening into a hidden subterranean world was discovered by Lorenzo Bruzzone and Leonardo Carrer at the University of Trento in Italy who used radar to penetrate a pit situated in the Moon's Mare Tranquillitati region.

The cave was probably formed by lava flows millions or even billions of years ago.

While the researchers were able to determine that a cave exists at the site, it is currently impossible to determine just how far the cave might extend away from the opening.

This means that there could be a whole network of caverns beneath the lunar surface."It's really exciting," said Prof Carrer. "When you make these discoveries and you look at these images, you realize you're the first person in the history of humanity to see it."

It's not difficult to imagine a future mission to the Moon in which astronauts descend into this mysterious cave in an attempt to explore further beneath the lunar surface.

It might even be possible to build a base inside it.

"After all, life on Earth began in caves, so it makes sense that humans could live inside them on the Moon," said Prof Carrer.

Source: BBC News

Tags: Moon, Cave