NASA confirms discovery of first ancient lava cave on the moon

NASA has confirmed that it has discovered its first lava tube beneath the surface of the moon using data from its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

NASA confirms discovery of first ancient lava cave on the moon
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Junior Editor
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New research published by an international team of researchers in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Astronomy on July 15, 2024, details the discovery of the first lunar lava tube.

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) looking at the empty lava tube

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) looking at the empty lava tube

For at least 50 years, researchers have speculated about the existence of lava tubes beneath the surface of the moon, which lends to the wider and well-established theory that the moon is still volcanically active. Until recently, scientists haven't found any evidence of such tubes, which are formed by flowing lava, but a team of international researchers have used data gathered by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) to claim the first lunar lava tube has been found.

The team used the Miniature Radio-Frequency (Mini-RF) instrument aboard the LRO to collect complex data on a pit located in Mare Tranquillitatis. Using a new signal processing technique to study the data, the team found evidence of a cave structure beneath the pit that would be a result of flowing lava. The team estimates the cave to be nearly 100 feet in length. Above is an image of an empty lava tube from the perspective of the LRO.

Visual rendering of the lava tube

Visual rendering of the lava tube

"These caves have been theorized for over 50 years, but it is the first time ever that we have demonstrated their existence. Several potential subsurface openings have been observed on the surface of the moon. These lunar pits are interesting in terms of science and for potential future habitation. However, it remains uncertain whether such pits provide access to cave conduits with extensive underground volumes," said Lorenzo Bruzzone, a professor at the University of Trento

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NEWS SOURCE:earthsky.org
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Junior Editor

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Jak joined the TweakTown team in 2017 and has since reviewed 100s of new tech products and kept us informed daily on the latest science, space, and artificial intelligence news. Jak's love for science, space, and technology, and, more specifically, PC gaming, began at 10 years old. It was the day his dad showed him how to play Age of Empires on an old Compaq PC. Ever since that day, Jak fell in love with games and the progression of the technology industry in all its forms.

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