Prof. Sam Lawler18h ago

RE: https://fosstodon.org/@AkaSci/116359971598652059

Spent all day driving through gorgeous mountains towards home, now trying to catch up on Artemis stuff so I can talk about it at stupid-o-clock in the morning on live Saskatchewan radio tomorrow morning (I'm baaack. Apparently).

Thanks to @AkaSci for a great summary of the closest approach!

The absolutely coolest detail (to me): the astronauts could SEE flashes from meteors hitting the surface?!! From 4,000km away?! (And they want to build a moon base???) Lots to think about, wow.

Show threadSulfide_Sleuth

@sundogplanets @AkaSci
Wow that is a neat detail with the meteorite flashes! Didn't realize they had actually been seen. Would be cool to use longer observations to determine their flux better.

I would argue tho that the ones we really need to worry about are the more common ones we can't see (micrometeorites). The flux is way higher, and while less catastrophic they would end up wrecking havoc on components.

Think most plans atm rely on underground bases built into the bottom of larger craters. Protects from meteorites, solar winds, and cosmic rays, all while having a potential source of water nearby.

Funny enough tho one of the reasons to build a moon base is exactly because of those hazards. The solar winds are a source of He3 (needed for MRIs) and the Meteorites are actually a great sources of siderophile elements (ie critical metals needed for a whole host of different things). Well at least according to one paper by some crazy guy 😁.
https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.14184

Apr 7 at 6:04amWeb