An international group of professional astronomers leads an initiative to preserve the future of lunar astronomy
In the future, astronomical research on the Moon may become a reality. Plans are currently being developed to place equipment such as infrared telescopes, gravitational wave detectors and radio telescopes on our natural satellite. In addition, scientists intend to use the capabilities of observations from the Moon to search for signs of extraterrestrial biosignals.
However, some scientists have expressed concern about possible interference caused by other planned projects on the Moon, which could negatively impact astronomical research. To protect the ability to conduct these studies, astronomers are working with the UN to develop observing policies.
In this matter, the initiative group is led by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), which unites more than 12,000 professional astronomers from around the world. The IAU group responsible for organizing lunar astronomy is chaired by Richard Green, who also serves as assistant director for government relations at the University of Arizona's Steward Observatory.
The IAU group actively collaborates with other non-governmental organizations to advocate for astronomical research on the Moon. Its members include heads of radio observatories closely associated with the International Telecommunication Union and the World Radiocommunication Conference, which review and revise global agreements regarding the use of radio frequencies and satellite orbits.
The working group seeks to protect a variety of frequencies, including those needed to study the early Universe and observe planetary auroras. Another approach is to protect certain areas on the Moon that are suitable for placing telescopes or gravitational wave detectors.
Richard Greene notes: «We strive to achieve a common goal with other parties who want to protect historically significant sites or propose special areas for water and mineral extraction. The UN Committee on the Uses of Outer Space could provide a forum where a process could be developed to recognize and protect these sites and resolve conflicting claims».
The IAU Working Group on Lunar Astronomy includes experts in space law and policy who can provide a basis for advocacy for scientific research interests. The main goal of the group is to conduct astronomical observations that are only possible from the Moon. The group also engages researchers specializing in lunar missions to engage the astronomical community in identifying priority sites of high scientific interest and addressing research issues.
The idea of protecting lunar locations, similar to the system of «Specially Protected Areas» (ASPAs), which is used in Antarctica, is supported by Ian Crawford, professor of planetary science and astrobiology at Birkbeck College in London. He believes that certain lunar regions, including polar craters and key areas on the far side of the Moon, should be designated as «Regions of Special Scientific Use» and protected accordingly.
In the near future, we will witness the first NASA-funded scientific experiments carried to the Moon as part of the CLPS robotic exploration program. One such experiment, being developed by Professor Jack Burns, is called ROLSES. If successful, ROLSES will become the first radio telescope on the Moon. It is expected to be delivered to the Moon as early as February on the Intuitive Machines Nova-C mission.
In two years, LuSEE-Night will land on the Moon, scheduled to be delivered aboard Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost Mission-2. LuSee-Night — is a radio telescope designed to explore eras of the early Universe that have so far remained invisible — the period before the birth of the first stars. Given this potential and the prospects for developing radio astronomy from the Moon, Burns emphasizes the need to develop international agreements to protect the far side of the Moon for radio astronomy purposes, since it is the only place in the inner solar system with low levels of radio noise.
Burns emphasizes that radio observations from the Moon are no longer science fiction, but have become scientific fact, bringing a new era of scientific exploration.