A mysterious light flashes on the surface of the moon, astronomers baffles

Flashes of mysterious light on the surface of the moon, which occur several times a week, have baffled astronomers. The light illuminates parts of the lunar landscape and disappears shortly thereafter.

As strange as it may seem, this phenomenon is not new. It has been observed since the 1950s, but has not been systematically examined. Not even after the man has stepped on the lunar surface.

A team of German astronomers, from the Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg (JMU) in Bavaria, Germany, thinks that this "mysterious light" is crucial to decode because humanity will colonize the Moon in a near to come up.

A "Race to the Moon 2.0" is underway with Chinese robots, the Chang'e 4 lander and the Yutu 2 rover having explored the lunar surface. NASA is working on the landing of astronauts on the lunar south pole by 2024. China is also designing a mission to target the South Pole.

To analyze the light, the team has developed a telescope that will use artificial intelligence to automatically detect flashes.

Hakan Kayal, a professor of space technology at JMU, said in a statement that seismic activity on the moon had been observed. "When the surface moves, gases reflecting sunlight can escape from inside the moon. This would explain the luminous phenomena, some of which last for hours. "

The & # 39; Supermoon & # 39; will rise on Asuncion on February 19, 2019. Photo: NORBERTO DUARTE / Getty Images

He added that these flashes also occurred when electrically charged solar wind particles reacted with the moon dust. However, the team has no scientific explanation on how this phenomenon occurs on the moon.

To understand this mysterious light, Kayal's team built a lunar telescope, located in a private observatory in Spain, about 100 kilometers north of Seville. The professor explained that they had chosen Spain because the country had better weather conditions to observe the moon.

"The telescope consists of two cameras that monitor the moon night after night. When both cameras record a light phenomenon at the same time, the telescope triggers other actions, "the statement said. "It then stores the photos and video footage of the event and sends an email to the Kayal team."

Software that automatically and reliably detects flashes and other light phenomena is being refined. The statement says that the teacher is also considering using AI methods. "The system it develops on Spanish soil will be used later for a satellite mission."