An attempt is being made to unfold the hidden mysteries of the Moon and its depths. Scientists have a plan in the works to explore the silent world of the Moon and its events. They are ideating and planning to lay fiber optic cables on the surface of Earth’s natural satellite.
Seismologists are eager to initiate this plan as they are intrigued by the mystery of lunar quakes and seek to explore further into the moon’s seismic activities.
In a recent study, researchers have highlighted the obstacles that must be overcome to ensure the success of this deployment. They have conducted experiments with a theoretical network using synthetic seismograms from data obtained by seismometers positioned on the Moon’s surface.
These seismometers were installed by astronauts during the Apollo missions between 1969 and 1976, yielding valuable insights. Over seven years, the equipment detected numerous seismic events on the near side of the Moon.
Data analysis indicates that a fiber optic seismic network could discern the types of seismic waves that would offer deeper insights into the Moon’s internal structure.
While seismic activity on the near side of the Moon has been documented, the lack of moonquakes detected on the far side remains a puzzle. Scientists are eager to understand this discrepancy, prompting the need for additional seismometers.
With the Artemis mission gaining momentum, astronomers are exploring new avenues to unlock the mysteries of the Moon and share them with the world.
The proposed Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) system for a lunar network comprises detectors and sensors to be deployed on the Moon.
Lunar seismology encounters a significant challenge in the form of regolith, a porous and fragmented layer covering the lunar surface. This regolith impedes seismic waves, particularly the delayed ones crucial for probing lunar depths, as they get dispersed by this layer of debris following a moonquake.
To tackle this obstacle, Wu and collaborators utilize an array stacking signal processing technique with data gathered from multiple sensors in a DAS array. This method effectively isolates the desired “deep signals hidden in the scattered waves” from other sources of unwanted seismic noise, as demonstrated by Wu.
“Before launch, thorough numerical simulations of wave propagation are essential. We conduct extensive research to determine if we can obtain the data and what analyses can be performed with it,” Wu stated, emphasizing that if researchers can devise methods for powering and maintaining a lunar fiber optic seismic network, the array could operate for an extended period.