Moon Base Sites
The south pole might be the worst place to live on Earth,
but that region of the Moon could be the best choice for
future bases. Three sites, located near the Moon's south
pole, provide nearly constant sunlight, the researchers
report in the May 1 edition of Geophysical Research Letters.
Having nearly constant light means the bases could use
solar energy, thereby reducing or eliminating the need
for other energy sources, according to the team lead by
Dr. Ben J. Bussey of the European Space Agency in Noordwijk,
Netherlands. They used data collected by the Clementine
spacecraft.
In addition to the energy potential of the sites, there
are nearby sites that are in constant darkness, the
researchers added. There is the possibility that water
ice could be hidden in such locations, they reported.
While the location of any Moon base would depend largely
on the purpose of the base, the researchers found three
strong candidates. Site A is on the rim of Shakleton
crater, and B is about six miles away on a ridge
originating from that rim. Site C is on the rim of
another nearby crater.
During the Moon's 708-hour day, A is in sunlight 80
percent of the time, B is lighted 70 percent of the
time and C about 65 percent of the time. "There is
only a period of 10 hours when neither A nor B are in
sunlight," the researchers added. "Therefore if solar
arrays were placed in both areas and connected by a
link (either microwave or cable) then a base at either
site would receive near constant solar energy."
The temperature at the suggested sites is relatively
constant because of the steady light and was estimated at
about -64 degrees Fahrenheit. Engineers say it is easier
to deal with a constant extreme temperature than one that
is changing regularly, as would happen elsewhere on the
moon with the regular changes from daylight to darkness.
In addition to Bussey the research team included Paul D.
Spudis of the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston,
Texas, and Mark S. Robinson of Northwestern University
in Evanston, Ill.
