Astronomy from the Moon: the next decades (part 1)

Silk, Joseph; Crawford, Ian; Elvis, M.; Zarnecki, J. C.

doi:10.1098/rsta.2019.0560

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…There are many issues to be discussed [2178][2179][2180][2181][2182][2183][2184][2185][2186][2187][2188][2189][2190][2191][2192][2193], including how to discriminate the elusive science signals from pervasive low radio frequency and terahertz foregrounds, and handling the abrasive role of lunar dust. One can add imaging via mega-telescopes in dark and cold polar craters and making use of the seismic stability of the Moon for deployment of GW telescopes, using technology that dates back to, and goes far beyond, the Apollo-era era seismometers.…”

Section: Lunar Astronomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Cosmology Intertwined: A Review of the Particle Physics, Astrophysics, and Cosmology Associated with the Cosmological Tensions and Anomalies

Abdalla,

Abellán,

Aboubrahim

et al. 2022

Preprint

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This White Paper has been prepared to fulfill SNOWMASS 2021 requirements and it extends the material previously summarized in the four Letters of Interest [1][2][3][4]. The Particle Physics Community Planning Exercise (a.k.a. SNOWMASS ) is organized by the Division of Particles and Fields of the American Physical Society, and this is an effort to bring together the community of theoretical physicists and cosmologists and identify promising opportunities to address the questions described.This White Paper was initiated with the aim of identifying the opportunities in the cosmological field for the next decade, and strengthening the coordination of the community. It is addressed to identifying the most promising directions of investigation, and rather than attempting a long review of the current status of the whole field of research, it focuses on the upcoming theoretical opportunities and challenges described. The White Paper is a collaborative effort led by Eleonora Di Valentino and Luis Anchordoqui, and it is organized in the topics listed below, each of them coordinated by the scientists indicated (alphabetical order):

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Section: Lunar Astronomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Cosmology Intertwined: A Review of the Particle Physics, Astrophysics, and Cosmology Associated with the Cosmological Tensions and Anomalies

Abdalla,

Abellán,

Aboubrahim

et al. 2022

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…There are still opportunities to get ahead of the problem elsewhere. For example, now is the time to consider a future in which astronomical observations performed from the lunar surface may be similarly affected by a growing swarm of space objects orbiting the Moon 62 . There are fewer legal restrictions on the use of cislunar space, and the race to occupy that space is already on 63 .…”

Section: Potential Gains and Risks Of Mitigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aggregate effects of proliferating low-Earth-orbit objects and implications for astronomical data lost in the noise

et al. 2023

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The rising population of artificial satellites and associated debris in low-altitude orbits is increasing the overall brightness of the night sky, threatening ground-based astronomy as well as a diversity of stakeholders and ecosystems reliant on dark skies. We present calculations of the potentially large rise in global sky brightness from space objects, including qualitative and quantitative assessments of how professional astronomy may be affected. Debris proliferation is of special concern: since all log-decades in debris size contribute approximately the same amount of night sky radiance, debris-generating events are expected to lead to a rapid rise in night sky brightness along with serious collision risks for satellites from centimetre-sized objects. This will lead to loss of astronomical data and diminish opportunities for ground-based discoveries as faint astrophysical signals become increasingly lost in the noise. Lastly, we discuss the broader consequences of brighter skies for a range of sky constituencies, equity/inclusion and accessibility for Earth-and space-based science, and cultural sky traditions. Space and dark skies represent an intangible heritage that deserves intentional preservation and safeguarding for future generations.

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“…Below we discuss the effects of the IDP influx (§2), the properties of the secondary ejecta particles they generate (§3) and the near-surface plasma effects on the lunar regolith (§4), as these all represent a potential hazard for establishing permanent human habitats, and to use the unique opportunity the Moon offers to deploy astronomical observatories [ 7 , 8 ]. We offer our assessment for ranking the potential risk these processes represent (§5).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The lunar dust environment: concerns for Moon-based astronomy

Horányi,

Szalay,

Wang

2024

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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The Moon has no atmosphere, hence, it offers a unique opportunity to place telescopes on its surface for astronomical observations. It is phase-locked with Earth, and its far side remains free from ground-based interference, enabling the optimal use of radio telescopes. However, the surface of the Moon, as any other airless planetary object in the solar system, is continually bombarded by interplanetary dust particles that cause impact damage and generate secondary ejecta particles that continually overturn the top layer of the lunar regolith. In addition, there is evidence, that small particles comprising the lunar regolith can be electrically charged, mobilized and transported, also representing a hazard for covering sensitive surfaces and interfering with exposed mechanical structures. In addition to the naturally occurring dust transport, rocket firings during landings and take-offs, pedestrian and motorized vehicle traffic will also liberate copious amounts of dust, representing a potential hazard for the safe and optimal use of optical platforms. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Astronomy from the Moon: the next decades (part 2)’.

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Astronomy from the Moon: the next decades (part 1)

Cited by 8 publications

References 15 publications

Cosmology Intertwined: A Review of the Particle Physics, Astrophysics, and Cosmology Associated with the Cosmological Tensions and Anomalies

Cosmology Intertwined: A Review of the Particle Physics, Astrophysics, and Cosmology Associated with the Cosmological Tensions and Anomalies

Aggregate effects of proliferating low-Earth-orbit objects and implications for astronomical data lost in the noise

The lunar dust environment: concerns for Moon-based astronomy

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