Exploration of the Moon Exploration of the Moon The physical exploration of the Moon began when Luna 2, a space probe launched by the Soviet Union, made an impact on the surface of the Moon on September 14, 1959. Prior to that the only available means of exploration had been observation from Earth. The invention of the optical telescope brought about the first leap in the quality of lunar observations. Galileo Galilei is generally credited as the first person to use a telescope for astronomical purposes; having made his own telescope in 1609, the mountains and craters on the lunar surface were among his
Craters of the Moon (geothermal site) in diameter. The most powerful fumarole observed at Craters of the Moon occurred December 1967. It had a heat output of 116 MW. Currently, only one of the craters has a mudpool. Here the gases (mainly HS) react with water to form sulphuric acid. This reacts with the rocks, turning it to clay. When there is water present, this forms the grey coloured mudpools “that bubble and burp as steam and gas escape through them”. Much of the ground at Craters of the Moon is warm or hot. This of course affects the vegetation. Only few species can survive. One