Can Humans Overcome the Moon’s Harsh Conditions for Colonization?
According to NASA, the Moon likely formed upon a collision between a Mars-sized body with Earth billions of years ago. Despite the Moon’s not having an atmosphere like Earth (but a thin layer of gases forming an exosphere instead), NASA scientists believe there could be potential for human colonization because its poles contain water ice. However, there is no liquid water on the Moon. Below are some facts from NASA regarding the Moon, which greatly impacts life on Earth.
The Moon is about 27% the size of Earth with a radius of about 1,080 miles.
With no atmosphere to prevent extreme temperature changes, the Moon’s equator ranges from -208°F (-133°C) to 250°F (121°C). Its coldest spots—under -410°F (-246°C)—are located in deep craters near the Moon’s poles.
Despite not having traditional weather like on Earth, the Moon can be subjected to solar winds, galactic cosmic rays (releasing radiation), coronal mass ejections (shock waves from the Sun), and showers of small meteoroids.
On average, the Moon is 238,855 miles away from Earth, but for various reasons it is moving about 4 cm (~1.5 in) farther away from Earth every year.
Tidal locking makes it so the same side of the Moon faces the Earth at all times, resulting in the far side being perpetually hidden from Earth’s view.
In 50 billion years (if the Sun still exists), the Moon would be so far away from the Earth that the Earth would also tidally lock to the moon. This would result in one side of the Earth facing the moon at all times.
Astronauts from the Apollo missions of 1969–1972 brought back 382 kilograms (842 pounds) of rock and soil from the Moon for study.
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