Laying fiber-optic cables on the lunar surface could transform how scientists monitor seismic activity on the moon.
The moon may soon get a high-tech seismic sensing system — and it could be as simple as rolling out cables across the lunar surface.
Two recent studies suggest that fiber-optic cables laid directly on the lunar ground could double as sensitive detectors for moonquakes, offering a lightweight, low-cost alternative to traditional seismometers. The idea builds on a technique called distributed acoustic sensing in which laser pulses sent through optical fibers can pick up tiny vibrations along the entire length of the fibers, according to a statement from Los Alamos National Laboratory.
