Hidden Nook
"Because in Cyberspace, no one can hear you scream."
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Perfect Spot For A Moon Base
[Media Source*] (Cross posted on BNN)
Researchers have identified what may be the perfect place for a Moon base, a crater rim near the lunar north pole that's in near-constant sunlight yet not far from suspected stores of water ice.
Permanently sunlit areas would provide crucial solar energy for any future Moon settlement, a goal for NASA outlined last year by President George W. Bush. Such sites would also have resort-like temperatures compared with other lunar locations that fluctuate between blistering heat and unfathomable cold.
Scientists are still trying to determine whether or not there may be ice on the surface (perhaps frozen in the shadow of a crater?) but if verified the question will not be "if" or even "when" we go to the moon but rather "who" will get their first (whether it be Japan or the U.S.).
With Space Tourism becoming more affordable in the foreseeable future it may not be long until we see people back on the moon again.
The "prime real estate" on the moon is located near the north pole on the rim of a crater called Peary. Because of the moon's axis (or tilt) is only 1.5 degrees, (compared to Earth's 23.5) there would be portions of the moon which would in essence be always exposed towards the sun. This would enable colonists to have a constant source of electricity via solar panels for power and heat.
It seems now that the debate is over which pole to start a colony on, since the North may have the exposure of light but the South may have some valuable resources on it, such as iron and possibly water too. With interest in space tourism gaining in the private sector (evidenced by space corporations like these) we may see a colony on the surface of the moon in 15 years or less.
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By Darnell Clayton ⢠2:41 PM ⢠Email Post ⢠â¢
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