Lunar seismology
Encyclopedia
Seismographic data from the Moon has been and is planned to be used by scientists, engineers, and artists, for a variety of purposes, such as the following:
.
The existence of moonquakes was an unexpected discovery from seismometer
s placed on the Moon by Apollo astronauts from 1969 through 1972. The instruments placed by the Apollo 12
, 14
, 15
and 16
missions functioned perfectly until they were switched off in 1977. Moonquakes are not believed to be caused by tectonic plate movement as Earthquakes are, but rather by tidal force
s between the Earth and the Moon. Further data will clarify the origins and effects of the forces that cause moonquakes.
, an institution that is currently responsible for aspects of several Earth orbit and extra-planetary exploratory missions.
Scientists and engineers are working together to design the next experiments, which are likely to be seismic arrays. Seismic sensors were installed on the Moon during the Apollo missions, from which data exists, but they are not seismic arrays. The advantage of a seismic array over a seismic sensor is that by comparing the data from all the sensors in the array, a lot of information can be gleaned mathematically about the location and intensity of each tremor. Seismic arrays are currently installed all over the Earth, and data has been available to scientists for some time. Having 2-5 years of array data from the Moon is expected to provide helpful comparative data that will advance scientific knowledge of both the Earth and the Moon, along with the evolution of the universe.
- Learning more about MoonMoonThe Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
and EarthEarthEarth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
evolution. - Better understanding Earth seismologySeismologySeismology is the scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of elastic waves through the Earth or through other planet-like bodies. The field also includes studies of earthquake effects, such as tsunamis as well as diverse seismic sources such as volcanic, tectonic, oceanic,...
through comparative studies. - Gaining knowledge about tidal moonquakes or other origins of these forces since the MoonMoonThe Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
is thought to have no tectonic plates. - Advancing selenographySelenographySelenography is the study of the surface and physical features of the Moon. Historically, the principal concern of selenographists was the mapping and naming of the lunar maria, craters, mountain ranges, and other various features...
, the geography of the Moon.
History
Several seismographic measuring systems have already been installed on the Moon, and the data made available to scientists, such as the those that came from the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments PackageApollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package
The Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package comprised a set of scientific instruments placed by the astronauts at the landing site of each of the five Apollo missions to land on the Moon following Apollo 11...
.
The existence of moonquakes was an unexpected discovery from seismometer
Seismometer
Seismometers are instruments that measure motions of the ground, including those of seismic waves generated by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other seismic sources...
s placed on the Moon by Apollo astronauts from 1969 through 1972. The instruments placed by the Apollo 12
Apollo 12
Apollo 12 was the sixth manned flight in the American Apollo program and the second to land on the Moon . It was launched on November 14, 1969 from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, four months after Apollo 11. Mission commander Charles "Pete" Conrad and Lunar Module Pilot Alan L...
, 14
Apollo 14
Apollo 14 was the eighth manned mission in the American Apollo program, and the third to land on the Moon. It was the last of the "H missions", targeted landings with two-day stays on the Moon with two lunar EVAs, or moonwalks....
, 15
Apollo 15
Apollo 15 was the ninth manned mission in the American Apollo space program, the fourth to land on the Moon and the eighth successful manned mission. It was the first of what were termed "J missions", long duration stays on the Moon with a greater focus on science than had been possible on previous...
and 16
Apollo 16
Young and Duke served as the backup crew for Apollo 13; Mattingly was slated to be the Apollo 13 command module pilot until being pulled from the mission due to his exposure to rubella through Duke.-Backup crew:...
missions functioned perfectly until they were switched off in 1977. Moonquakes are not believed to be caused by tectonic plate movement as Earthquakes are, but rather by tidal force
Tidal force
The tidal force is a secondary effect of the force of gravity and is responsible for the tides. It arises because the gravitational force per unit mass exerted on one body by a second body is not constant across its diameter, the side nearest to the second being more attracted by it than the side...
s between the Earth and the Moon. Further data will clarify the origins and effects of the forces that cause moonquakes.
Plans
Scientists around the world are proposing new seismographic experiments to be conducted on the Moon, including researchers at Arizona State UniversityArizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
, an institution that is currently responsible for aspects of several Earth orbit and extra-planetary exploratory missions.
Scientists and engineers are working together to design the next experiments, which are likely to be seismic arrays. Seismic sensors were installed on the Moon during the Apollo missions, from which data exists, but they are not seismic arrays. The advantage of a seismic array over a seismic sensor is that by comparing the data from all the sensors in the array, a lot of information can be gleaned mathematically about the location and intensity of each tremor. Seismic arrays are currently installed all over the Earth, and data has been available to scientists for some time. Having 2-5 years of array data from the Moon is expected to provide helpful comparative data that will advance scientific knowledge of both the Earth and the Moon, along with the evolution of the universe.