Slashdot | Caves of the Moon

[Paul D. Fernhout]

http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/10/24/1316202/Caves-of-the-Moon
"A deep hole on the moon that could open into a vast underground tunnel has
been found for the first time. The discovery strengthens evidence for
subsurface, lava-carved channels that could shield future human colonists
from space radiation and other hazards. ... The hole measures 65 meters
across, and based on images taken at a variety of sun angles, the hole is
thought to extend down at least 80 meters. It sits in the middle of a rille,
suggesting the hole leads into a lava tube as wide as 370 meters across."
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18030-found-first-skylight-on-the-moon.html

That would make a really large habitat space if it could be sealed and
pressurized.

Maybe we could send a robotic spelunking machine to explore it? :-)

In any case, it might be a first chance to get samples from deeper in the
Moon, which has got to have some big science value?

--Paul Fernhout
http://www.pdfernhout.net/
http://www.beyondajoblessrecovery.org/