In 1969, during the Apollo 11 mission, astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong deployed a seismometer on the moon to detect moonquakes. This device picked up vibrations, even recording Armstrong’s footsteps as he explored the lunar surface. Decades later, scientists are still analyzing the data collected by these seismometers between 1969 and 1977.
A recent study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets revealed that there were thousands of moonquakes recorded during this time period. These moonquakes provide valuable insights into the lunar interior and could have implications for future lunar missions.
Moonquakes are similar to earthquakes and can help scientists understand the composition and structure of the moon. By analyzing the seismic data, researchers like Keisuke Onodera from the University of Tokyo have discovered new insights into lunar activity. They found that shallow moonquakes, occurring up to 155 miles beneath the surface, are concentrated in the moon’s northern hemisphere.
These shallow moonquakes, which can reach magnitudes of five or six, could pose a risk to future astronauts or structures on the moon. Understanding the causes of these moonquakes and their relationship to the moon’s internal structure is crucial for planning future lunar missions.
While the Apollo missions provided valuable data, there is still much to learn about the moon’s interior. Scientists are now planning to deploy new seismometers on the moon, including the Farside Seismic Suite and instruments near the lunar South Pole as part of NASA’s Artemis campaign.
By placing seismometers in different locations on the moon, researchers hope to gain a deeper understanding of lunar activity and potentially discover new insights that could challenge current assumptions. The study of moonquakes continues to be a fascinating area of research that sheds light on the mysterious inner workings of Earth’s celestial neighbor.
