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Lunar far side radio astronomy proposals

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2026-08-23 07:32 UTC → 2026-08-23 17:53 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Astronomers have proposed using the far side of the Moon as a shield to conduct radio astronomy, specifically to observe the early universe. Because Earth’s ionosphere and telecommunications signals create significant interference, the lunar far side offers a unique ‘quiet zone’ for detecting the 21-centimeter line from hydrogen atoms. One specific proposal is the CosmoCube, a suitcase-sized satellite designed to orbit the Moon. Researchers at the University of Cambridge, as part of an international group of scientists, have detailed the mission’s goal to investigate the ‘cosmic dark ages’—a period of approximately 150 million years between the Big Bang and the formation of the first stars. By utilizing the lunar mass to block Earth’s radio noise, such as FM radio and telecommunications, the satellite could ~~collect significant data during its orbits.~~ detect exceptionally faint signals emitted by hydrogen atoms before the ‘Cosmic Dawn.’ In addition to the CosmoCube, researchers are advocating for the Lunar Farside Transients and Technology Telescope (LFT3), a $150 million project intended for deployment by the end of the decade. Scientists emphasize the urgency of these missions, noting that increasing lunar activity from orbiters and landers may introduce radio noise that could compromise the scientific value of the lunar far side by 2030.

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