Full circle...cave home for first Moon dwellers

17C underground chamber may 'house' astronauts

- Nilima Marshall

SCIENTISTS have discovered a giant underground cave on the Moon and believe it could provide a base for astronauts.

The cave is thought to be up to 260ft long and 150ft wide.

The main chamber lies beneath a pit over 300ft wide in the Sea of Tranquillity, a dark region on the near side of the Moon that can be seen with the naked eye.

Protection The discovery comes as US space agency Nasa prepares to send its first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years.

Mahesh Anand, professor of planetary science and exploration at the Open University, said: "The future exploration of the Moon through extended human presence would require protection from the harsh environment and micrometeoroid impacts.