People have always dreamed of living on the moon. It’s seen as a future home because scientists believe Earth might become uninhabitable due to climate change. But recent scientific research has revealed a troubling truth that challenges these plans.
Scientists have discovered that the moon, Earth’s only satellite, is undergoing significant changes. It’s actually shrinking in size as its core cools down. This shrinking leads to more wrinkles on the moon’s surface, causing more earthquakes and landslides.
This new information has caused NASA, the American space agency, to reconsider its plans for lunar exploration. Previously, scientists believed that there might be ice at the moon’s South Pole, making it a potential destination for lunar missions. However, recent findings suggest that the conditions there are not as hospitable as previously thought.
The moon has already shrunk by over 150 feet in circumference due to its core cooling. This shrinking has caused noticeable changes around the southern part of the moon, resulting in a fragile surface.
As a result of this contraction, parts of the moon’s crust are pushing against each other, making it more prone to earthquakes. However, this research isn’t meant to discourage exploration of the moon’s South Pole, but rather to highlight the challenges that come with it.
While the lunar surface may not be ideal for human settlement, plans are still underway for lunar exploration. China has announced its intention to build a human settlement on the moon, and NASA plans to send astronauts to the southern part of the moon in 2026.
