When Jeremy Hansen, a Canadian astronaut, embarks on the Artemis 2 mission beyond the moon, he will have the unique task of observing the far side of the moon, which is not visible from Earth. This observation is crucial as scientists plan to send telescopes and robots to explore deep space from that vantage point.
The moon is known for its dual nature. Due to gravitational forces, one side always faces Earth while the other side points towards deep space. Despite being commonly referred to as the “dark side,” the far side receives just as much sunlight as the side facing Earth.
Characterized by rough terrain and numerous craters, the far side of the moon differs from the near side, which features vast flat plains known as “Maria.” This region is shielded from Earth’s artificial radio interference, making it an appealing location for astronomers to set up radio telescopes.
Exploration of the far side of the moon is limited to spacecraft, offering Hansen a rare opportunity to witness sights unseen by many since the Apollo missions. Unlike the Apollo astronauts who only viewed the equatorial regions, Hansen will travel 7,500 kilometers beyond the moon’s surface, granting him a panoramic view of the Earth from space.
During the Artemis mission, crew members will closely observe the lunar surface, leveraging the human eye’s ability to discern subtle details that cameras may overlook. These observations are crucial for assessing ground conditions that could impact future spacecraft landings.
One of the upcoming missions to the far side involves the Japanese TSUKUYOMI, which aims to deploy a radio telescope array to study the universe’s earliest stages, known as the dark ages. By detecting faint radio signals, researchers hope to unlock the mysteries surrounding dark matter’s influence on the evolution of the universe.
Several projects, including LuSEE Night and Farside Seismic Suite, are planned to advance lunar exploration further. While human missions focus on establishing colonies and prospecting for water ice, robotic observatories on the far side of the moon are poised to delve into the origins of the universe and unravel its mysteries.
