Fifty years ago, NASA sensors recorded vibrations on the moon. Scientists recently discovered what’s causing some of these “moonquakes.”
In 1972, the Apollo 17 mission ended. The astronauts returned from the moon. Their landing craft stayed behind. Scientists have studied the 50-year-old data from the mission. Temperatures on the moon go from hot to cold. This swells and shrinks the metal in the lander. That produces ground vibrations.
The discovery can be useful. Future missions might build bases on the moon. It is helpful to know how temperatures will affect what is built.
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