Discovery of 500km lunar cave raises hopes for human colonisation of moon
Source: Guardian
Japan says chasm measuring 500km long and 100 metres wide could be used as a base for astronauts and their equipment
Justin McCurry in Tokyo
Thursday 19 October 2017 04.25 EDT
Scientists have for centuries fantasised about human colonisation of the moon. That day may have drawn a little closer after Japan’s space agency said it had discovered an enormous cave beneath the lunar surface that could be turned into an exploration base for astronauts.
The discovery, by Japan’s Selenological and Engineering Explorer (Selene) probe, comes as several countries vie to follow the US in sending manned missions to the moon.
Using a radar sounder system that can examine underground structures, the orbiter initially found an opening 50 metres wide and 50 metres deep, prompting speculation that there could be a larger hollow.
This week scientists at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa) confirmed the presence of a cave after examining the hole using radio waves.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/oct/19/lunar-cave-discovery-raises-hopes-for-human-colonisation-of-moon
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