Essay on Exploring the Moon: The Emergence of Selenology and Selenography

Selenology, also known as lunar science, is the scientific study of the moon. Selenography, which is considered as a sub-discipline of selenology, has become an emergent scientific theme central to the activities and studies of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other bodies associated with space exploration and robotic programs. The new age of space exploration has gone beyond the topography of the moon and has introduced new compelling scientific objectives that associate the moon and the origins of the earth and earlier life forms. In this aspect, the moon is used as a "Rosetta stone" for understanding evolution, evaluating the nature of rocks, understanding the origin of life and other elements. Deep comparisons of the moon surface features, rocks, and other chemical elements show similarities with planet earth, and this can be found under earth science. It is apparent that through studying the moon, its origin, activities, and formation, much is revealed about the earth (Carpenter, Fisackerly, De Rosa and Houdou, 2012). Lunar scientists have often asked some questions that have become fundamental in understanding the past and future of the earth. Some of these questions include but not limited to why the moon's gravity is uneven, and why the lunar poles contain so much hydrogen. An explanation has been proposed as the reason behind the abundant hydrogen-the cometary water ice that never got exposed to light hence never evaporated. The existence of water on the moon itself can be very crucial for human activities in the future on the moon surface. It also represents the possibility of life in the moon for either the past of the future. The earth is facing numerous challenges, including global warming and its many related effects. The answers to the various scientific questions can be unearthed by lunar scientists and used to improve scientific knowledge and make informed choices about vast unimaginable possibilities of the future of human existence. This paper presents three science case studies illustrating various aspects of selenology as a scientific theme and its relevance.

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The beginnings of life-astrobiologists have conducted scientific research focused on the moon to ascertain whether or not life began from the moon. The late veneer theory has for so long maintained that volatile chemicals supporting life existed long before the earth was formed. But a new study, complemented by other studies of the same has challenged this concept showing that life would not have existed on earth if the impact that formed the moon did not occur. According to geochemical evidence, the collusion between Theia and planet Earth led to the formation of the moon and the resulting impact delivered necessary chemicals responsible for life on the earth's surface (Carpenter et al., 2012). When the impact happened 4.4 billion years ago, the earth was very young, and it received numerous volatile chemicals, carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen that enable life to exist. Today, the moon has no life since it is airless, has no atmosphere or liquid water with only traces of ice available (National Research Council, 2007). Astrobiologists have confirmed the possibilities that the moon was once habitable billions of years ago at various stages of its history. Comprehensive studies of components of lunar volcanism have shown that the lunar interior has an abundance of water that can be compared to that of the upper mantle of planet earth. Scientists have also claimed that a magnetic field shielded the moon surface from solar radiations and winds. Water pools whose evidence exist on the moon's surface might have had microbes thriving until it became dry unsupportive of life. The importance of this study hinges on the fact there are possibilities that humans might occupy the moon in the future. However, before that possibility is exhausted, there is a need for more scientific observation and more regolith material to examine before thinking of such future possibilities. Thus it will take more than just selenography and selenology to be certain (National Research Council, 2007).

The second case study is related to evolution on the moon's crust and surface. Volcanism is central when it comes to knowledge and information on the evolution of terrestrial bodies, including the moon. The volcanic history of the moon has not yet provided the answer to some key scientific questions. Most of these questions touch on both the origin and variability of mare basalts that were presented by Luna and Apollo collections. The age of the mare basalt is not yet known recent crater counts indicate some types might be as young as 1.2 billion years. Basalts present in the Oceanus Procellarum, for instance, have no age calibration in the samples that have been collected even though such information is fundamental in understanding thermal evolution and lunar volcanism. Also important is the pyroclastic volcanism studied through the lunar pyroclastic deposits (National Research Council, 2007). The rate of production of magma, the chemical and thermal evolution of the moon is not known in detail. The importance of this information is pegged on understanding the beginning and changes of the earliest crust, thermodynamic evolution, and the changes in the rates of magma production. Knowing the age of the basalt gives an insight into how basaltic processes evolved with time. Studying the interior history and the thermal state of the lunar crust using interior heat flow measurements helps to provide answers on thermal constraints as well as magma production over time. This information is crucial to other disciplines like geology, which is a component of earth science. That is because lunar and planetary sciences, including selenography and selenology, require the sharing of scientific information among other disciplines (National Research Council, 2007).

The last case study whose relevance is tied to selenography or selenology as an area of scientific interest is the collaboration in science. Different scientific disciplines have a point of convergence, which is the sharing of information. The future of planetary science relies considerably on other scientific disciplines and organizations like NASA have gone lengths to do this. Numerous thematic findings have emerged specifically in the areas of astronomy, fundamental physics, planetary exploration, and heliosphere and sun areas. Large scale explorations call for large-scale international collaborations, but this is not always the case with all organizations. For instance, astronomy and astrophysics collaborations have led to improved technical capabilities resulting in augmented sophisticated instrumentation and apertures (Future of International Collaboration in Space Science, 2000). Information given by astronomers and selenographers can be useful to geologists who study the physical features of the earth or terrestrial bodies. Astrobiologists who are concerned with life origins, the evolution of various kinds, distribution of life forms, and the future of the universe can provide useful scientific information that can benefit ecologists. NASA has collaborated with other US organizations and others worldwide to improve and maintain how earth observation data is mined from orbital planets, how it is stored, and how it is maintained. NASA satellites fly instruments from other organizations and vice versa. Joint science teams have been created that promote data exchanges as well as improved efficiency in interoperability of data systems (Ramapriyan and Murphy, 2017).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study of the moon's surface or the activities of its crust is an area of scientific interest that is relevant to planetary science or exploration bodies. Astrobiologists rely on that information to investigate the existent of early life forms in the moon. The history of evolutions of various kinds and volcanic activities of the moon has been used to understand the geological history of the earth. Abundant information from astronomical, geological, astrobiological, astrophysics, and more have enabled easy collaboration among disciplines to ensure success and add to the existing scientific knowledge base on these particular areas. The moon shares a lot of scientific similarities with the earth. This means that past occurrences of both bodies can be used to predict future possibilities that can benefit human beings.

References

Carpenter, J., Fisackerly, R., De Rosa, D., & Houdou, B. (2012). Scientific preparations for lunar exploration with the European Lunar Lander. Planetary And Space Science, 74(1), 208-223. doi: 10.1016/j.pss.2012.07.024

Future of International Collaboration in Space Science. (2000). [Ebook]. Nice, France. Retrieved from http://archives.esf.org/fileadmin/Public_documents/Publications/Future_of_International_Collaboration_in_Space_Science.pdf

National Research Council. (2007). The Scientific Context for Exploration of the Moon: Interim Report. National Academies Press. Retrieved from https://www.nap.edu/read/11747/chapter/4

Ramapriyan, H., & Murphy, K. (2017). Collaborations and Partnerships in NASA's Earth Science Data Systems. Data Science Journal, 16. doi: 10.5334/dsj-2017-051