Observatories

The placement of large observatories on the Moon has long been a vision of space exploration: the Space Task Force of 1969 – assembled to recommend the continuation of human space exploration on the Moon and beyond after Apollo – proposed four such large observatories. (click satellite dish image to enlarge)

The advantages of the Moon include: Lack of a magnetic field, lack of an atmosphere; lack of orbital debris loitering around Earth; a stable thermal environment; a stable surface; 1/6th gravity; a thirty-fold reduced “sidereal rate” (movement relative to the sky); a quiet radio environment on the lunar far side; and, last but not least, a long lifetime. Observatories do not “fall off” the Moon, nor are they exposed to (or can be protected against) the solar weather.

Another significant advantage is the joint use of common infrastructure (household) elements – hence the expression “Condominium” – promising significant advantages in cost, reduced risks and commonality. (click condominium image to enlarge)

Finally, the same instruments can – when strategically placed – be used for dual and multiple uses. In addition to the observations of the solar system and the universe, one can observe uniquely the interactions between the sun and dynamic solar cycles and the Earth’s environment, climate change in particular. In addition, one can also uniquely observe the Earth’s resources, environment, atmosphere and monitor land use changes and resource uses. Long dwell times and a multitude of multispectral observation capabilities will add one more revolution to the already spectacular information and communications revolution Space has wrought.