The prime locations are free from ground vibration, shielded from Earth's noisy broadcast signals or profoundly cold-making them uniquely well-suited for sensitive equipment capable of making observations that are impossible from elsewhere.
But these areas, known as sites of extraordinary scientific importance (SESIs), are in danger of being ruined by an imminent wave of missions such as navigation and communications satellites, rovers and mining operations, with experts warning that safeguarding the precious sites was now an "urgent matter".
"This is the first time humanity has to decide how we will expand into the solar system," said Martin Elvis, an astronomer at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Massachusetts. "We're in danger of losing one-of-a-kind opportunities to understand the universe." At least 22 international missions are set to touch down on the moon by late 2026, with half heading to sites near the lunar south pole. More will follow, including commercial and civil landers, while two moon bases, one led by the US, the other by China and Russia, are expected to be operational in the 2030s.
Denne historien er fra March 25, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra March 25, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Female players demand Fifa scrap Saudi sponsorship
More than 100 professional female footballers have signed a letter calling on Fifa to end its sponsorship deal with the state-owned Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco, accusing Saudi authorities of \"brutal human rights violations\".
Silent treatment Arteta admits discipline 'issue' but won't discuss it with players
Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal have an issue with red cards but believes the remedy lies in not discussing the problem within the squad.
"There's no ceiling here': Cash hails Villa potential
Matty Cash has said Aston Villa \"has not got a ceiling\" under Unai Emery before the two-year anniversary of the manager's appointment, as the Spaniard outlined his wish to continue to \"break barriers\" by becoming Champions League regulars.
We must stick together - it's the only way to bring peace to Ukraine'
The big interview Oleskandr Zinchenko Arsenal full-back opens up on the pain of following the war from overseas and reflects on the belief instilled within him by Guardiola and Arteta
No review of Saudi Newcastle deal despite Bin Salman claims
The Premier League sees no reason to review the legality of Newcastle's takeover by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund after reports of crown prince Mohammed bin Salman's extensive involvement in the deal.
VAR conspiracy theories are nonsense but stem from helpless fans' plight
Another weekend, another slew of wearying arguments about VAR and refereeing. At Bournemouth, Arsenal fans called the referee Robert Jones \"a cheat\" and chanted that the Premier League was \"corrupt\". On social media, the outrage was even greater. Fans have always complained about referees, of course, but traditionally they called them \"blind\" and dismissed them as \"wankers\" or \"bastards\". Then came the \"You're not fit to referee\" song; the cries of systemic corruption, though, are relatively new.
Van Dijk reveals he is in talks over extending Anfield career
Virgil van Dijk has revealed he is in \"ongoing\" discussions regarding a new contract with Liverpool but admitted he remains unclear about his future at the club.
Lopetegui not in imminent peril of being sacked
Julen Lopetegui is not in imminent danger of the sack despite growing alarm at West Ham about their poor start to the season. The club, languishing in 15th after losing 4-1 against Tottenham on Saturday, are keen to give Lopetegui time after appointing him last summer as David Moyes's successor.
Game nearing 'crisis point' in schools, new report warns
The Rugby Football Union has been warned it is facing an existential crisis and has been urged to make radical changes in schools rugby to avoid becoming a \"declining minority sport\" that could weaken Steve Borthwick's England side amid a damaging decline in participation.
Disabled fans' survey shines critical light on Uefa care
Uefa's communication with disabled supporters has been widely described as \"non-existent\" in a survey that paints a damning picture of accessibility for fans watching their clubs on European away trips.
