Lunar Void by National Geographic

Lunar Void

Image courtesy ASU/NASA

A new satellite picture of a lunar pit proves that the gaping hole leads to an underground void—a potential boon for future astronauts on the moon, who could find shelter in the moon's deep caves. (See "First Moon 'Skylight' Found—Could House Lunar Base?")

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) found the Marius Hills pit last March. Scientists suspected the pitch-black circle was a skylight on a lava tube, a tunnel under the lunar surface carved by flowing magma. The new LRO picture was taken at an angle, so that scientists could see sunlight hitting the floor of a tunnel that extends beyond the pit's maw.

Published February 10, 2011