The Moon's Evolving Landscape

Four astronauts are preparing for the Artemis II mission, scheduled for Wednesday, April 1st. This mission represents a crucial step towards returning humans to the lunar surface for the first time in over 50 years.

Lasting Footprints and New Impacts

When Apollo 17 astronauts left the Moon in December 1972, they left behind a lasting mark – footprints, rover tracks, and scientific instruments. Many of these remnants remain undisturbed more than half a century later. While the Moon appears unchanged to the naked eye, significant, subtle transformations have been occurring beneath the surface.

New Crater Formation

Data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which has been mapping the Moon since 2009, reveals the formation of thousands of new, small craters in recent decades. Scientists have even identified before-and-after images showcasing fresh impact sites and the resulting ejecta patterns. “Since its launch in 2009, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has discovered more than 200 new impact craters,” a NASA spokesperson stated.

Space Weathering and Lunar Activity

Beyond impacts, the Moon’s surface is constantly changing due to a process called “space weathering.” This is driven by micrometeorite impacts, solar radiation, and extreme temperature fluctuations. These forces gradually alter the lunar soil, known as regolith, changing its texture and reflectivity over time.

Moonquakes and Internal Structure

Although often described as geologically “dead,” the Moon experiences seismic activity called moonquakes. Instruments left by the Apollo missions detected these quakes, which can be triggered by Earth’s tidal forces or temperature changes. Some shallow moonquakes have been strong enough to slightly shift surface material, though they are far less powerful than earthquakes on Earth. Analysis of Apollo-era data continues to reveal insights into the Moon’s internal structure.

An Unusual Recent Change: The Beresheet Impact

In 2019, Israel’s Beresheet spacecraft crashed on the lunar surface, carrying thousands of tardigrades – microscopic organisms known for their resilience. This was intended as a biological archive.

Tardigrades on the Moon

Because tardigrades can enter a dormant, dehydrated state, some scientists believe a fraction may have survived the crash. However, researchers emphasize that this does not indicate the presence of active life on the Moon. Without liquid water, tardigrades cannot revive, grow, or reproduce, and would remain in a frozen, inactive state at most.