Researchers have discovered that the Moon has multiple reservoirs of frozen carbon dioxide – and believe they can be used to create lunar greenhouses.

A team of scientists has revealed that they have been able to identify “Cold Traps” CO2 in an article published in the journal Geophysical Research. This is a phenomenon that occurs when gases such as carbon dioxide accumulate and remain in the pocket due to very low temperatures, lack of atmosphere and lack of sunlight. According to Saloon, the study’s lead author, these carbon stocks could be used to pave the way for a long-term human presence on Earth’s natural satellite or possibly agricultural production.

“When I started working on this study, the main question I asked myself was, ‘Can we say with confidence that there are cold carbon traps on the moon?’ Norbert Shorgofer, a planetary scientist and lead author of the study at the Institute of Planetary Sciences, said in a press release. “To my surprise, we can say that there are such natural carbon chambers out there. ”

Lunar greenhouses

As NASA prepares to launch the Artemis project to bring man back to the moon, the existence of cold carbon traps is an effective prerequisite for mankind to gain access.

On the one hand, carbon dioxide can be used as a fuel, which means less resources will be spent on distribution to future lunar outposts. It can also convert CO2 into oxygen that astronauts can breathe. Carbon dioxide can also be used in greenhouses that require gas to grow plants.

This means that areas close to these cold traps are highly desirable as different viewers consider their plans to colonize our natural satellite.

“These will be high-priority sites for scientists and investors to focus on when planning future missions involving people landing on the moon.”Paul Hanne, a planetary scientist at the University of Colorado who did not participate in the study, said. “This information is invaluable on where humans can live on the moon, and helps resolve the confusion over how easy it is to get supplies and precious gases to the moon, such as oxygen.”

At this stage, there are already technologies that can be used to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, as well as CO2 that can be used as a living resource for growing plants. While they cannot boast of tremendous efficiency now, we need to see what achievements we can expect in this direction in the near future.