Lunar Dust: A Hidden Danger for Astronauts
Lunar dust is one of the natural hazards that astronauts face when undertaking missions on the Moon’s surface. However, curiosity about the Moon extends beyond religious beliefs, as humans have become increasingly interested in the scientific aspects of the Moon’s origin and its precise significance to humanity and the Earth’s environment. Consequently, lunar dust has also attracted considerable attention from scientists and modern research. As explained by The New Yorker, scientists are still studying the properties of lunar dust, and up to now, we know that it covers most of the Moon’s surface and is actually quite toxic to humans.
Why is Lunar Dust Extremely Harmful?
Most of the Moon’s surface is covered by fine particulate material known as lunar soil or lunar dust. According to The New Yorker, the scientific factors behind this substance are still under investigation. Lunar dust is essentially as dangerous as glass but has a very fine, powder-like texture that makes it quite enigmatic. Lunar dust is formed when meteoroids collide with the Moon, subsequently pulverizing dirt, rocks, and other materials into a fine dust.
Lunar dust is formed when meteoroids collide with the Moon.
Lunar dust poses a lethal threat due to its sharpness and its ability to stick firmly. However, the greater danger lies in its toxicity.
Thanks to the Apollo missions, scientists on Earth obtained lunar dust samples, and this type of dust contains compounds that react with humans, potentially leading to lung cancer.
To gather more concrete evidence, scientists have tested the exposure of live cells from rodents and humans to substances similar to lunar dust.
The results showed that about 90% of mouse brain cells and human lung cells ultimately died after being exposed to simulated lunar dust.
According to Live Science, lunar dust is indeed very harmful to humans. Some astronauts reported experiencing flu-like symptoms after inhaling these dust particles. The molecular composition of lunar dust can completely kill cells and even cause damage to the lungs and brain. Researchers are still investigating the properties of the lunar dust samples they have collected, so not much information has yet been uncovered about this toxic substance.
Astronauts from the Apollo missions in the 1970s discovered that lunar dust was abrasive and adhesive, puncturing the outer layer of their space suits and contaminating their equipment. The equipment covered in black dust absorbed sunlight and tended to heat up. In addition to this danger, astronauts also faced the risk of electrical discharges, which could damage any electronic devices. Lunar dust has a tendency to carry static electricity, a result of Earth’s magnetic field. Although Apollo astronauts did not encounter this issue, future astronauts on the Moon may face this risk. This is due to the Moon’s orbit around Earth being unstable, approaching or receding from Earth in an 18-year cycle, crossing Earth’s magnetic field every four days. Starting from 2012, the Moon’s orbit will enter a cycle where it passes through regions known as plasma belts of the magnetic field, areas rich in high-energy electrons and other charged particles, to the extent that certain areas on the Moon’s surface will carry static electricity. |
