Scientists: Methane from spacecraft landing on the Moon could “obscure” evidence of life
Chicken Little rules!
Chicken Little stupidity now abounds everywhere! Scientists using computer models say the methane fuel that many lunar landers will use can spread quickly across the entire Moon and then “obscure” any evidence of life that might be found there.
Sinibaldi and Francisca Paiva, a physicist at Instituto Superior Técnico and lead author of the study, built a computer model to simulate how that contamination might play out, using the European Space Agency’s Argonaut mission as a case study. The simulations focused on how methane, the main organic compound released during combustion of Argonaut propellants, might spread across the lunar surface during a landing at the moon’s South Pole. While previous studies had investigated how water molecules might move on the moon, none had done so for organic molecules like methane. The new model also accounted for how factors like solar wind and UV radiation would impact the methane’s behavior.
…The model showed exhaust methane reaching the North Pole in under two lunar days. Within seven lunar days (almost 7 months on Earth), more than half of the total exhaust methane had been “cold trapped” at the frigid poles — 42% at the South Pole and 12% at the North.
Though this result is of interest, as it suggests such exhaust can spread quickly on a low-gravity planet with no atmosphere, these scientists then make themselves look like fools by claiming this quick spread will contaminate the Moon, thus hindering the search for evidence of life there, and thus require new “planetary protection” measures. From their paper’s conclusion:
As lunar exploration unfolds, prioritizing effective and informed planetary protection measures will be key for safeguarding the Moon’s pristine scientific value and paving the way for a sustainable and responsible lunar exploration.
The level of foolishness in these claims is hard to measure. The Moon is the least likely place to search for evidence of past life. And regardless, limiting the use of methane fuel but allowing other exploration is not going to solve their problem. The mere presence of human activity is going to “contaminate” the Moon’s “pristine” environment. To make believe it is possible to impose some rules to prevent it is idiocy.
This whole study and its focus on “planetary protection” is really aimed at protecting the turf of these scientists. If others are allowed to explore the planets with different goals (profit or settlement instead of pure scientific research), their playground will be spoiled. Thus, they write these reports designed to give them ammunition for convincing governments to impose regulations in their favor. And they know they have allies in the UN for this purpose.
They also know they have willing allies in the propaganda press. Be prepared for numerous mainstream stories in the next day or so, touting this study with no skepticism.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
Chicken Little rules!
Chicken Little stupidity now abounds everywhere! Scientists using computer models say the methane fuel that many lunar landers will use can spread quickly across the entire Moon and then “obscure” any evidence of life that might be found there.
Sinibaldi and Francisca Paiva, a physicist at Instituto Superior Técnico and lead author of the study, built a computer model to simulate how that contamination might play out, using the European Space Agency’s Argonaut mission as a case study. The simulations focused on how methane, the main organic compound released during combustion of Argonaut propellants, might spread across the lunar surface during a landing at the moon’s South Pole. While previous studies had investigated how water molecules might move on the moon, none had done so for organic molecules like methane. The new model also accounted for how factors like solar wind and UV radiation would impact the methane’s behavior.
…The model showed exhaust methane reaching the North Pole in under two lunar days. Within seven lunar days (almost 7 months on Earth), more than half of the total exhaust methane had been “cold trapped” at the frigid poles — 42% at the South Pole and 12% at the North.
Though this result is of interest, as it suggests such exhaust can spread quickly on a low-gravity planet with no atmosphere, these scientists then make themselves look like fools by claiming this quick spread will contaminate the Moon, thus hindering the search for evidence of life there, and thus require new “planetary protection” measures. From their paper’s conclusion:
As lunar exploration unfolds, prioritizing effective and informed planetary protection measures will be key for safeguarding the Moon’s pristine scientific value and paving the way for a sustainable and responsible lunar exploration.
The level of foolishness in these claims is hard to measure. The Moon is the least likely place to search for evidence of past life. And regardless, limiting the use of methane fuel but allowing other exploration is not going to solve their problem. The mere presence of human activity is going to “contaminate” the Moon’s “pristine” environment. To make believe it is possible to impose some rules to prevent it is idiocy.
This whole study and its focus on “planetary protection” is really aimed at protecting the turf of these scientists. If others are allowed to explore the planets with different goals (profit or settlement instead of pure scientific research), their playground will be spoiled. Thus, they write these reports designed to give them ammunition for convincing governments to impose regulations in their favor. And they know they have allies in the UN for this purpose.
They also know they have willing allies in the propaganda press. Be prepared for numerous mainstream stories in the next day or so, touting this study with no skepticism.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
So we can recycle the methane along with mining for ice?
It’s obvious to me that cows need to be permanently restricted from the Moon.
Did the study rule out the decay of green cheese as a potential source of lunar methane?
Just wait. The “extra” methane on the Moon will contribute to, yes, Lunar Climate Change.
The stupidity on display in today’s “academia” is astounding at times. This is indeed one of those. Heaven help those students who may be trying to “lean” from these fools.
Of COURSE it was funded by ESA. Ouch. My eyes don’t roll that far.
Sour grapes. Before you can study the Moon in detail–you have to get there first.
How do you get to the Moon without a vehicle sporting a tailpipe?
Jeff Wright
Please
Logic has nothing to do with this theory.
Its all about reaching for control of things rich people or bad governments might do.
It has nothing to do with all the other rockets that have landed on the moon, or the fact that if the Earth can be contaminated by Mars meteors then the Moon would have even a better chance. Or that billions of years of trace gas from the Earth might have contaminated it.
This all looked like gibberish to me.
If you looked at the link at the very very bottom of the article in a very fine font there was a translation:
We want more funding.
We want more control.
Not about funding –but it is about control.
Hollywood’s SAG hates “AI slop” because they can’t control it:
https://www.msn.com/en-au/money/topstories/guillermo-del-toro-slams-generative-ai-calls-dismissing-art-prelude-to-fascism/ar-AA1TBWqy
This is why I am radical enough to suggest that copyrights trademarks and patents be ended–no law in the arena.
When works become public access, all that comes of that are horror films with weak returns.
It isn’t just governments….BMW’s bolts for example.
I am a right-to-repair Uber consumer advocate.
All computers should have this standard:
https://m.youtube.com/shorts/u9JLKYF71jE
“The “extra” methane on the Moon will contribute to, yes, Lunar Climate Change.”
Ronaldus Magnus; you jest, but that is exactly what the paper is claiming. The science is interesting, but the political maneuvering, is not. Tiresome, actually. The Moon is going to be industrialized, along with anything else we can reach. Study it, but get over yourself.
Notice they never mention the godless commie Chinese dropping toxic rockets on land and in water.
It’s not about a clean environment. It’s about spreading godless communism.
The communists supported R-7 and cosmism.
Greens are worse–they want to keep us Earth-bound.
Ships are safe at harbor–but that isn’t what ships are for.
More “can’t do” and more “can do” is needed.
I don’t believe a word of their study anyway.
“It’s obvious to me that cows need to be permanently restricted from the Moon.”
You will not deny me my Moon Sirloin, sir.
Richard M–
It’s for the Children….if we can save just one.
Step 1) Make ridiculous claims.
Step 2) Get funding.
Step 3) Goto Step 1