Science
Earth’s Moon Is Shrinking. Here’s What Scientists Say That Could Mean
According to a new study, a moon region at the centre of a new worldwide space race due to the possibility of water ice may be less habitable than previously thought.
Interest in the lunar south pole peaked last year when India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission performed the first successful soft landing in the region, just days after Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft crashed while attempting the same feat. NASA has chosen the region as the landing location for its Artemis III mission, which could send men to the Moon as early as 2026, and China has ambitions to build future habitats there.
However, a NASA-funded study is now raising the alarm: As the Moon’s core gradually cools and shrinks, its surface develops creases, similar to a grape shrivelling into a raisin, resulting in “moonquakes” that can continue for hours and landslides. Much like the rest of the natural satellite’s surface, the area near the south pole that has sparked so much curiosity is prone to seismic disturbances, which could endanger future human residents and equipment.
Earth’s Moon Is Shrinking. Here’s What Scientists Say That Could Mean
“This is not to alarm anyone and certainly not to discourage exploration of that part of the south pole of the moon,” said the study’s lead author, Thomas R. Watters, a senior scientist emeritus in the National Air and Space Museum’s Centre for Earth and Planetary Studies, “but to raise the caution that the moon is not this benign place where nothing is happening.”
Identifying the source of moonquakes
According to researchers, the Moon’s circumference has shrunk by about 150 feet over the previous few million years, a significant amount in geological terms but insufficient to affect Earth or tidal cycles.
However, on the lunar surface, the situation is much different. Despite its appearance, the Moon contains a hot interior that causes seismic activity.
“There is an outer core that’s molten and is cooling off,” Watters told reporters. “As it cools, the moon shrinks, the interior volume changes and the crust has to adjust to that change — it’s a global contraction, to which tidal forces on the Earth also contribute.”
Because the Moon’s surface is brittle, this pushing causes cracks, which geologists call faults. “The moon is thought of as being this geologically dead object where nothing has happened for billions of years, but that couldn’t be more far from the truth,” he said. “These faults are extremely young, and things are happening. We’ve spotted landslides that occurred while the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter was in orbit around the Moon.”
Earth’s Moon Is Shrinking. Here’s What Scientists Say That Could Mean
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, was launched in 2009 and is surveying the Moon’s surface using a variety of instruments. Watters and his colleagues utilised data obtained by LRO to relate a powerful moonquake observed with instruments left by Apollo astronauts more than 50 years ago to a sequence of faults in the lunar south pole.
“We knew from the Apollo seismic experiment, which were four seismometers that operated for a period of about seven years, that there were these shallow moonquakes, but we didn’t really know what the source was,” he said. “We also knew that the greatest of the shallow moonquakes identified by the Apollo seismometers occurred around the south pole. It kind of turned into a detective story to figure out what the cause was, and it turns out that these young flaws are the best suspects.”
The strongest recorded earthquake had a magnitude of 5.0. That would be considered mild on Earth, but Watters believes the Moon’s reduced gravity would make it feel worse.
“Gravity is significantly stronger on Earth, keeping you stuck to the surface. “On the moon, it’s much smaller, so even a small amount of ground acceleration could knock you off your feet if you’re walking,” he explained. “That shaking can start throwing things around in a low G environment.”
Moonquakes: Short-term and long-term implications
According to research coauthor and NASA planetary scientist Renee Weber, the study’s conclusions will not impact the Artemis III landing area selection process because of the mission’s scale and duration.
Earth’s Moon Is Shrinking. Here’s What Scientists Say That Could Mean
“This is because estimating how often a specific region experiences a moonquake is difficult to do accurately, and like earthquakes, we can’t predict moonquakes,” he said. “Strong shallow moonquakes are infrequent and pose a low risk to short-term missions on the lunar surface.”
She said that NASA has identified 13 Artemis III candidate landing areas near the lunar south pole based on characteristics such as the region’s capacity to land safely, the potential to accomplish science objectives, launch window availability, and terrain, communications, and illumination conditions. Two astronauts will live and work on the lunar surface for approximately one week as part of the mission.
However, Weber stated that for long-term human settlement on the Moon, geographic qualities such as proximity to tectonic features and topography could be considered during the site selection.
Like flashlights on the Moon.
Moonquakes could pose a concern for future manned landing missions, according to Yoshio Nakamura, a professor emeritus of geophysics at the University of Texas at Austin and one of the experts who first examined the data acquired by the Apollo seismic stations.
However, Nakamura, who was not part of the study, argues regarding the cause of the quakes, claiming that Apollo data suggests the phenomenon originates tens of kilometres below the surface.
“We still don’t know what causes shallow moonquakes, but it is not the sliding fault near the surface,” he told reporters. “Regardless of what causes those quakes, it is true that they pose a potential threat to future landing missions, and we need more data about them.”
Regardless of the underlying cause, the potential danger moonquakes pose to astronauts will be limited because, at least shortly, humans will only be on the Moon for short periods, a few days at most, according to Allen Husker, a research professor of geophysics at the California Institute of Technology who was not involved in the study.
“It is highly improbable that a major moonquake will occur while they are present. However, it is useful to know that these seismic sources (which cause the quakes) exist. “They can provide an opportunity to better study the moon, just as earthquakes do on Earth,” Husker added. “By the time there is an actual moon base, we should have a much better idea of the actual seismic hazard with upcoming missions.”
Jeffrey Andrews-Hanna, an associate professor of planetary science at the University of Arizona who wasn’t involved in the study, shares that viewpoint. “Moonquakes are an incredible tool for doing science,” he explained in an email. “They’re like headlights in the lunar interior, illuminating the structure for us to see. Studying moonquakes at the South Pole will reveal more about the moon’s internal structure and current activity.
SOURCE – CNN
As summer approaches in Australia, residents are warned to look out for the funnel web spider, one of the country’s deadliest species.
In addition to advising the public to avoid funnel-web spiders during mating season, the Australian Reptile Park in New South Wales has even asked people to capture live funnel-web spiders so they can “milk” their venom.
Native to eastern Australia, the funnel web spider can kill humans in as little as fifteen minutes if they do not receive medical treatment for its poisonous bite.
There have been thirteen fatalities attributable to this species, but none since the development of antivenom in 1981. The Australian Reptile Park is appealing to the public for assistance capturing and donating spiders, as the serum relies on milking live spiders.
Hunting for the funnel net spider in residential areas is common practice after a particularly wet and warm season. Look for spiders in cool, dark places like pools, garden residue, heaps of dirty clothing, and outside shoes.
Australian Reptile Park spider keeper Emma Teni recently blogged about how they rely on spider donations more than ever, especially now that breeding season has arrived and the temperature is perfect.
“Male funnel-web spiders have short lifespans, and with approximately 150 spiders required to make just one vial of antivenom, we need the public’s help to ensure we have enough venom to meet demand.”
“If you spot an egg sac while collecting a spider, it’s important to safely collect that as well,” said Teni. “It can provide a robust supply of healthy young spiders to aid in our antivenom production.”
The spiders won’t be able to climb plastic or glass, but Teni suggests capturing funnel webs in a wide-mouthed jar with a cover. Then, you can lead the spiders into the container using a long spoon or something similar.
After that, fill the jar with moist soil, screw on the top, and bring it to the designated drop-off spot.
“We depend on the public for spider donations, and we want to make sure everyone stays safe during the collection process, especially with conditions being so favourable this year,” said Teni.
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Science
A Spacecraft Is On Its Way To A Harmless Asteroid Slammed By NASA In A Previous Save-The-Earth Test
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida – A spacecraft launched Monday to probe the site of a cosmic accident.
The European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft launched on a two-year trip to the little, harmless asteroid slammed by NASA two years ago as a practice run for the day when a murderous space rock threatens Earth. It’s the second phase of a planetary defense experiment that could one day save the globe.
SpaceX’s Falcon rocket vanished with Hera into the late morning clouds. An hour later, cheering erupted in the control center in Germany as the spacecraft split from the rocket’s upper stage and returned home. “It’s an amazing day,” the space agency’s director general, Josef Aschbacher, said later.
The 2022 crash of NASA’s Dart spacecraft reduced Dimorphos’ orbit around its larger companion, indicating that if a harmful rock was heading our way, it might be pushed off course with adequate warning.
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A Spacecraft Is On Its Way To A Harmless Asteroid Slammed By NASA In A Previous Save-The-Earth Test
Scientists are eager to analyze the aftermath of the impact up close to determine how effective Dart was and what improvements may be required to protect Earth in the future.
“The more detail we can glean the better as it may be important for planning a future deflection mission should one be needed,” University of Maryland astronomer Derek Richardson stated before launch.
Researchers want to know if Dart (short for Double Asteroid Redirection Test) created a crater or changed the 500-foot (150-meter) asteroid more dramatically. It seemed to be a flying saucer before Dart’s blow and may now resemble a kidney bean, according to Richardson, who participated in the Dart mission and is assisting Hera.
Dart’s wallop sent rubble and boulders hurtling off Dimorphos, adding to the impact’s momentum. For months, the debris track extended thousands of miles (almost 10,000 kilometers) into space.
According to flight director Ignacio Tanco, some rocks and debris may still be hovering about the asteroid, posing a threat to Hera.
A Spacecraft Is On Its Way To A Harmless Asteroid Slammed By NASA In A Previous Save-The-Earth Test
“We don’t really know very well the environment in which we are going to operate,” Tanco informed me. “But that’s the whole point of the mission is to go there and find out.”
European authorities refer to the $400 million (363 million euros) effort as a “crash scene investigation.”
“Hera is going back to the crime scene and getting all the scientific and technical information,” said project manager Ian Carnelli.
Carrying a dozen science instruments, the compact car-sized Hera must swing past Mars in 2025 for a gravitational boost before landing at Dimorphos by the end of 2026. It’s a moonlet of Didymos, the Greek word for twin, a five-times larger asteroid that spins quickly. At that point, the asteroids will be 120 million miles (195 million kilometers) from Earth.
Hera will attempt to enter orbit around the rocky duo, progressively reducing flyby distances from 18 miles (30 kilometers) to a half-mile (1 kilometer). The spacecraft will examine the moonlet for at least six months to determine its mass, shape, composition, and orbit around Didymos.
Before the crash, Dimorphos circled its larger partner from three-quarters of a mile (1,189 meters) away. Scientists believe the orbit has become tighter and more oval-shaped, and that the moonlet may be tumbling.
Two shoebox-sized Cubesats will launch from Hera for even closer drone-like examinations, with one employing radar to peek beneath the moonlet’s boulder-strewn surface. Scientists believe Dimorphos was produced from particles shed by Didymos. The radar measurements should assist in determining whether Didymos is the small moon’s parent.
A Spacecraft Is On Its Way To A Harmless Asteroid Slammed By NASA In A Previous Save-The-Earth Test
After their survey, the CubeSats will attempt to land on the moonlet. If the moonlet tumbles, the situation will become more complicated. Hera may potentially conclude its mission with a perilous touchdown but on the bigger Didymos.
Asteroids, which are remnants of the solar system’s origin 4.6 billion years ago, circle the sun principally between Mars and Jupiter in what is known as the main asteroid belt, where millions of them live. When they fall from the belt and land in our area, they become near-Earth objects.
NASA now has around 36,000 near-Earth objects, the majority of which are asteroids, although there are also some comets. More than 2,400 of them are deemed potentially dangerous to the Earth.
SOURCE | AP
NEW YORK — Prepare to spot a rare and dazzling comet.
The space rock is hurling toward Earth from the far reaches of the solar system and will make its closest approach on Saturday. It should be visible through the end of October, assuming clear skies.
A Rare Comet Brightens The Night Skies In October
Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas should be visible to the naked eye, but binoculars and telescopes will provide a clearer view.
“It’ll be this fuzzy circle with a long tail stretching away from it,” explained Sally Brummel, planetarium manager at the Bell Museum in Minnesota.
What is a comet?
They are frozen remains from billions of years ago when the solar system was formed. They heat up as they swing toward the sun, revealing their distinctive streaming tails.
In 2023, a green one that had last visited Earth 50,000 years ago flew past again. Other significant flybys were Neowise in 2020 and Hale-Bopp and Hyakutake in the mid to late 1990s.
Where did Tsuchinshan-Atlas come from?
Also known as C/2023 A3, was found last year and named after the observatories in China and South Africa that spotted it.
It originated in the Oort Cloud, which extends far beyond Pluto. After making its closest approach to Earth at 44 million miles (71 million kilometers), it will not return for another 80,000 years, provided it survives the journey.
A Rare Comet Brightens The Night Skies In October
Every year, several comets are detected, but many of them burn up near the sun or are too far away to be observed without special equipment, according to Larry Denneau, a key researcher with the Atlas telescope that helped discover it.
How to View
Those seeking to see Tsuchinshan-Atlas should go outside about an hour after sunset on a clear night and look to the west.
The comet should be visible from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
SOURCE | AP
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