Moon cave could be perfect home for humans

The discovery of a cave hidden 130 meters underground near the Moon’s Sea of Tranquility could provide the perfect base for human colonists, say researchers. Images of the ancient lava tube, measuring around 45 x 30 meters, was photographed back in 2010, but technology at the time was unable to analyze the data from the images. 14 years later, scientists believe they now have evidence of ‘the first direct evidence of an accessible lava tube under the surface of the Moon.’

While lacking some mod cons, the cave could provide future astronauts with shelter from the lunar climate – temperatures can reach up to 260°F (around 127°C) during the day, and plummet to -280°F (-173°C) at night. Inside the caves, the temperature is much more manageable, and would also protect humans from solar radiation, which is about 100 times stronger than on Earth.

The cave and others like it, say scientists, could help humans establish a permanent base on the Moon, even if that base is a bit of a fixer upper.