Produced by: Tarun Mishra
In a bid to understand the seismic activities of the Moon, researchers want to lay a fiber optic cable network on the lunar surface, said a report by Earth.com. This ambitious endeavour faces multifaceted challenges that demand meticulous planning and innovative solutions.
A recent study by Wenbo Wu and his colleagues from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, delved into the theoretical framework of establishing a fiber optic cable network on the lunar landscape. By simulating data collected from artificial seismograms generated by lunar seismometers, scientists assessed the feasibility and efficacy of such a network in detecting seismic events.
The seismometers, installed by Apollo-era astronauts from 1969 to 1976, have provided invaluable data from the Moon. Over a seven-year period, these instruments recorded thousands of seismic events exclusively on the near side of the lunar surface.
However, seismic activities on the far side still remains shrouded in mystery. Researchers have been intrigued by the absence of detected moonquakes on the far side and seek to unravel the depths at which these seismic events occur.
To address the challenges posed by the lunar environment, scientists have proposed the implementation of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology. This innovative approach aims to overcome the obstacles of lunar seismology by employing a series of detectors and sensors strategically placed across the lunar surface.
Lunar exploration encounters a significant hurdle in the form of the regolith, a layer of porous and fractured debris covering the Moon's surface.
This regolith complicates seismic data collection by scattering seismic waves, particularly those crucial for understanding lunar depths. Scientists have explored advanced signal processing techniques, such as array stacking, to mitigate the effects of regolith interference and enhance data accuracy.
With the Artemis mission gaining momentum, scientists envision a promising future for lunar exploration. The deployment of a fiber optic cable network on the Moon holds the potential to unlock invaluable insights into its seismic activity and geological composition, paving the way for extended scientific exploration and discovery.