Artemis Astronauts to Launch New Seismometers on the Moon
Key Takeaway:
Artemis astronauts will revolutionize lunar seismology by deploying a new network of seismometers based on distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technology, providing high-precision data on moonquakes and advancing our understanding of the Moon’s interior structure.
Summary:
- Introduction to Apollo-era lunar seismometers.
- Development of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technology for lunar quake detection.
- Comparison between DAS and Apollo seismometers.
- Explanation of how DAS detects moonquakes.
- Application of DAS in Antarctica as a prototype for lunar deployment.
- Advantages of DAS over traditional seismometers.
- Insight into moonquake causes and detection frequency.
- Planned deployment of DAS as part of Artemis missions.
Complete Story
Back in the 1960s and 1970s, Apollo astronauts laid the groundwork for lunar seismology by deploying seismometers on the Moon to detect potential moonquakes. These instruments, although groundbreaking at the time, provided only limited and often noisy data due to the scattering of seismic waves as they traveled through the lunar surface. Now, with the upcoming Artemis missions, a new era of lunar seismology is set to begin.
According to CalTech geophysics professor Zhongwen Zhan, the future of lunar quake detection lies in distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technology. DAS utilizes fiber optic cable buried just below the lunar surface to create a network of seismic sensors. Zhan’s innovative approach turns the cable into a series of individual seismometers, providing precise information about the strength and timing of moonquakes. Remarkably, a 100-kilometer fiber optic cable can function as the equivalent of 10,000 traditional seismometers, significantly reducing the number of instruments needed for deployment.
As Zhan explains,
“DAS offers a vast improvement over Apollo-era seismometers. Its distributed nature allows for precise measurements of seismic activity, even in the challenging lunar environment.”
In Antarctica, a prototype DAS system successfully detected small tremors caused by ice movements, demonstrating its potential for lunar deployment. This technology will be crucial for understanding moonquake causes and frequencies, which include temperature changes, tidal forces from Earth, and lunar contraction.
A key advantage of DAS is its resilience to the harsh lunar environment, including high radiation, extreme temperatures, and heavy dust. This durability ensures the reliability of seismic data collected over extended periods.
Zhan’s research suggests that DAS could detect close to 100 percent of moonquakes, providing valuable insights into the Moon’s interior structure. By characterizing different types of moonquakes, such as thermal quakes and those caused by impacts, scientists can deepen their understanding of lunar geology.
The deployment of DAS will be integrated into the surface operations of the Artemis missions, following the establishment of lunar bases and other infrastructure. While there is no specific date set for seismometer deployment, it is anticipated to occur in the mid-2030s, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration.
