The most important of the four locations selected for landing on the Moon cannot be seen from Earth
Scientists have recommended the four most scientifically promising regions for sending astronauts to the Moon. First place on the list was taken by the Bhabha crater on the far side of the Moon. Research there could open up new opportunities to study the Moon's ancient history and observe the period before the appearance of the first stars in the Universe.
The most important of the four locations selected for a Moon landing is not visible from Earth
The recommendations are detailed in a report prepared by the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine by order of NASA. Experts selected four sites outside the lunar poles and evaluated what research could be conducted there during short-duration expeditions. Each expedition envisages the participation of two astronauts and from one to four moonwalks to work on the surface of the Moon.
The Moon is located at an average distance of 384 thousand kilometers from Earth. Its surface is covered with impact craters, mountains, and ancient volcanic plains. The Moon does not have plate tectonics like Earth, an atmosphere is virtually non-existent, and large-scale geological activity ceased long ago.
For this reason, the lunar surface has preserved traces of events that occurred billions of years ago. Rocks brought from there will help reconstruct the history of the formation of the Moon, Earth, and the entire Solar System.
Humans last landed on the Moon in December 1972 as part of the Apollo 17 mission. NASA is now planning to return astronauts through the Artemis program. The main focus is on the South Pole: craters in permanent shadow here may contain reserves of water ice. In the future, it is planned to use it to obtain drinking water, oxygen, and rocket fuel.
According to the authors of the report, exploring other regions of the Moon is also important. They feature geological structures not found at the poles, favorable conditions for astronomical observations, and opportunities to test technologies needed for future Mars missions.
First place was taken by Bhabha Crater. It is located on the far side of the Moon, inside the giant South Pole–Aitken impact basin. This basin was formed when a large celestial body struck the Moon.
Studying the rocks around the crater will help clarify when ancient collisions occurred and how the lunar crust was formed. Rocks brought to the surface from deep layers as a result of the impact are particularly valuable. Bringing samples back to Earth will be required for their detailed analysis.