Hawai'i serves as model for Western researchers studying the moon's volcanic history
Planetary scientists from the University of Western Ontario are using lava flows in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park as an analog to study the moon's volcanic history. The data collected helps interpret remote sensing information from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Why it matters
Analog missions on Earth are critical for advancing lunar geology and preparing for future space exploration missions.
by Jeff Renaud, University of Western Ontario
edited by Lisa Lock , reviewed by Andrew Zinin
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add as preferred source Earth Sciences Ph.D. candidate Sashank Vanga wearing a backpack LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park as part of a NASA analog mission. The science team was investigating lava flows that could reveal new clues about the moon's volcanic past. Credit: Catherine Neish The moon is 384,000 kilometers (239,000 miles) away from Earth, but one of the best places to study its surface is much closer to home. Western planetary scientist Catherine Neish and PhD candidate Sashank Vanga traveled to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park in June to investigate lava flows that could reveal new clues about the moon's volcanic past.
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