Space Tremors on the Moon

By Thad Majdecki · November 10, 2023

NASA scientists have recently made a significant revelation regarding the moon, stating that it experiences a lot of minuscule seismic activities known as "moonquakes." These moonquakes have been detected for over 50 years, and they’re happening because of the Apollo 17 spacecraft. When the Apollo 17 crew returned to Earth, they left their landing craft behind on the lunar surface, accumulating a substantial amount of metallic debris and environmental pollution. This discovery sheds light on the long-lasting effects of human activity on celestial bodies and highlights the need for responsible space exploration. This particular metal undergoes a fascinating transformation, similar to the freezing and melting process of ice on a road, all thanks to the moon's drastic fluctuations in temperature. The temperature on the moon can plummet to a bone-chilling negative 208 degrees Fahrenheit during periods of darkness, only to skyrocket to scorching highs of around 250 degrees Fahrenheit when exposed to the sun's rays. These extreme temperature differences not only impact the physical state of the metal but also makes seismic waves happen across the entire moon. Some individuals may mistakenly attribute these moonquakes to aliens, but in reality, they are merely a result of a spacecraft left behind over half a century ago. It is truly remarkable to contemplate the fact that, despite visiting the moon a limited number of times, human activity has already managed to leave a mark and potentially contaminate its pristine environment. This discovery shows that even though we have only been to the moon a few times we’ve already polluted it.