NASA's hunting for a secret underground cave on the moon

Key Points:

• NASA has launched the GIMLI project to investigate a potential large underground lava tube beneath the Marius Hill Pit on the moon, aiming to uncover lunar volcanic history and assess natural shelter possibilities for future astronauts.
• The Marius Hill Pit, discovered by Japan's Kaguya orbiter in 2009, may connect to a vast lava tube formed by ancient volcanic activity, which could provide insights into lunar geology similar to basaltic lava tubes on Earth.
• If confirmed, these lava tubes could serve as natural shelters for future lunar bases, offering protection from extreme temperatures, radiation, and micrometeorite impacts.
• GIMLI will use ground-penetrating radar, seismic sensors, and a gravimeter to scan beneath the lunar surface, with equipment developed by Honeybee Robotics and data analyzed by the Planetary Science Institute in collaboration with the Norwegian Space Agency.
• This investigation is part of NASA’s PRISM program and supports the broader goal of preparing for a sustainable human presence near the moon’s south pole.