On July 15, an international research team published a study in Nature Astronomy suggesting that a cave beneath the Moon's surface could provide a refuge for astronauts, shielding them from intense radiation and extreme temperatures.

This cave could even serve as a potential base for future lunar exploration.

The study, led by the University of Trento in Italy, identified the cave in the Moon's "Sea of Tranquility" region, approximately 400 kilometers from the Apollo 11 landing site. The cave is estimated to be 130 to 170 meters deep, 45 meters wide, and 30 to 80 meters long, and it connects to a "skylight"-like pit. Radar data revealed only the cave's initial section, suggesting that its actual length could be significantly greater.

Professor Lorenzo Bruzzone of the University of Trento explained that the cave might be a massive lava tube formed during ancient volcanic activity on the Moon. He described it as a "natural shelter against the harsh lunar environment," which could potentially house future human habitats.

In their paper, the researchers noted the discovery of over 200 "skylight" pits on the Moon's surface, formed by collapsed lava tubes. However, earlier technologies were unable to confirm whether these pits connected to subsurface caves. By employing advanced signal processing techniques developed in recent years, the team analyzed radar data collected in 2010 by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, uncovering evidence that the skylight in the Sea of Tranquility connects to a cave. Using this data, the researchers also created a partial model of the cave.

According to the researchers, this discovery holds significant implications for lunar exploration and development. The Moon's surface is uninhabitable due to its extreme conditions. Sunlit areas can reach temperatures of 127 degrees Celsius, while shaded regions can plummet to -173 degrees Celsius. Additionally, cosmic rays and solar radiation on the Moon's surface are estimated to be 150 times stronger than on Earth, and the constant risk of meteorite impacts further complicates habitation. A cave like this offers a potential solution for establishing a human base. Moreover, as these caves have remained untouched by the Moon's harsh surface conditions over millennia, their rocks and materials could provide valuable insights into the Moon's evolution, particularly its volcanic activity.

The BBC quoted British astronaut Helen Sharman, who suggested that humans might be able to take shelter in such lunar caves within the next two to three decades. However, due to the cave's depth, access might require technologies such as jetpacks or elevators.