NASA has come up with an incredibly unusual proposal that involves “shooting” the Moon to more precisely determine its composition. This plan would involve using special projectiles equipped with spectrometric sensors that could be fired at the lunar surface using a compressed gas gun. How would this be done?
Such a study would aim to collect data from large areas of lunar regolith without the need for traditional hand-excavation, an idea discussed by NASA scientists at the 37th International Geological Congress.
The sensors would be miniaturized spectrometers that would use Fresnel diffraction. This is a very interesting analysis method that allows the use of smaller detectors compared to the traditional Fraunhofer diffraction, used so far in space research. Thanks to it, these devices could be more compact, and at the same time equally effective in soil chemical analysis.
Why is spectroscopy so important? It allows scientists to study the composition of materials in space by analyzing the light emitted, absorbed, or scattered by a given material. Each element, molecule, or mineral has its own unique “fingerprint” in the form of a characteristic wavelength, which allows for precise determination of the chemical composition of the samples being studied.
NASA Proposal would use such projectiles on the Moon, where they could be fired at the surface by rovers or even astronauts. These sensors would have the ability to instantly analyze the regolith—a layer of loose rock that has been broken up by meteoroid impacts over billions of years. The composition of the regolith varies from place to place—the lunar highlands are rich in plagioclase, while other areas are richer in pyroxenes and olivine.
One of the most interesting areas to study would be the lunar south pole, where NASA plans to land its Artemis mission. This region is one of the coldest places in the solar system, which means it could contain significant amounts of ice trapped in the soil. Analysis of this area could provide key information not only about the moon’s water resources, but also about its formation process and the early history of the solar system.
Interestingly, scientists have also suggested the possibility of using the same solution on Mars or even for studying asteroids. With such technology, we could conduct detailed geological analyses over large areas in a relatively short time, which could significantly speed up the exploration of other celestial bodies. Moreover, similar sensors could be used even on Earth, enabling quick and effortless geological research.
The whole thing sounds like thick science fiction, of course, but it must be remembered that NASA has not yet made a decision to implement this idea: it is just a proposal. Who knows – maybe one day it will turn out that one of the missions will involve “shooting” at our natural satellite. As it turns out – for a just and not at all heartless purpose for it.
Source: antyweb.pl
