Artist's rendition of what the moon might look like terraformed.
Luna (or Moon) is the only natural satellite of Earth. Luna has caves which may serve as a refuge from cosmic radiation [1]and other damaging effects from space. [2]
It has recently become apparent by the collision of L-cross into the Luna’s South Pole, that Luna also has plenty of water in the form of ice. The discovery of spectral shift which identified water led scientist renew their enthusiasm for a lunar outpost. Analysis of water in a mostly pristine environment might have recorded events of our solar system shortly after Luna’s formation. A notable atmosphere must be created before terraforming can begin, as well as the addition of extra water via comets. However, the moon is too small to hold an atmosphere for very long so putting a global giant air dome or replenishing the atmosphere as needed is necessary. Days and nights would last about 2 weeks, so going outside would probably be restricted to sunrise and sunset (which would last a while) on Luna.
Facts
- Equatorial surface gravity: 1.622 m/s^2
- Escape velocity: 2.38 km/s
- Surface temperature: Varies
Because of its low gravity, lack of a magnetic field, and proximity to the sun, it is very problematic for the Moon to hold on to a dense atmosphere; nitrogen, which is the main "buffer gas" on Earth, would be blown away by the solar wind. A magnetic field must be added to prevent the solar wind from stripping it away.
Because of its proximity to the sun, greenhouse gases would not be necessary in large amounts. The ultraviolet radiation would be very strong, so at least small amounts of oxygen would be needed to form an ozone layer. Oxygen and nitrogen may be added from oxygen and nitrogen containing comets.
The moon may have no water, and if it does it will have very little[3]. The only way to increase the amount of water is to redirect small, icy asteroids on a collision course with the Moon, which is also possible with current technology - on paper - but has not been demonstrated in the field. The transfer of momentum from these ice asteroids, or comets, as they collide into the moon, could, in theory, be used to speed up the rotation of the moon, which would reduce diurnal temperature variations further shaping the moon towards a more Earth-like environment.
However, moon rock appears to have oxygen and hydrogen , so it may be possible to refine that, to make water and oxygen, potentially speeding up a terraforming or pre-terraforming colonization process.
Another rendering of what the moon might look like terraformed.
A computer generated conception of a terraformed moon showing the thick air layer. It would be much thicker than that of Earth's due to the Moon's 1/6th gravity.