Scientists Discover First Cave on the Moon, Potential Future Home for Astronauts

An international team of researchers has identified an underground cave on the Moon's Sea of Tranquility, the same region where humans first set foot on the lunar surface. This discovery, made through reanalysis of data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), marks the first confirmed existence of such a cave on the Moon.

The cave, situated approximately 250 miles from the Apollo 11 landing site, was found using radar reflections that indicated the presence of an underground channel. This discovery represents the first direct evidence of an accessible lava tube beneath the Moon's surface. The potential for lunar colonization has now significantly increased, as such caves could provide shelter from the harsh lunar environment.

Further analysis revealed more than 200 pits, with the largest located in the Sea of Tranquility, measuring about 100 meters in diameter. This pit, and the cave it leads to, could be large enough to consider for future lunar bases. However, its lack of water ice makes it less ideal compared to potential caves at the lunar poles.

These caves, formed from ancient lava flows, offer natural protection against extreme temperatures and solar radiation, making them suitable for human habitation. This discovery not only opens new possibilities for lunar exploration but also enhances our understanding of lunar geology and the formation of similar structures in the solar system.