Scientists have made an exciting discovery on the moon, confirming the existence of a cave near the historic landing site of Apollo 11. Led by an Italian research team, the scientists have identified evidence of a sizable cave located at the Sea of Tranquility, just 250 miles away from where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first set foot on the lunar surface 55 years ago.

The cave, accessible from the deepest known pit on the moon, was formed by the collapse of a lava tube, similar to over 200 other pits that have been discovered on the surface. The researchers utilized radar measurements from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to analyze the cave. Comparing the data with lava tubes found on Earth, they estimated that the cave is at least 130 feet wide and likely extends for a significant distance, possibly tens of yards.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, mark an important milestone in lunar exploration. "Lunar caves have remained a mystery for over 50 years. So it was exciting to be able to finally prove the existence" of one, stated Leonardo Carrer and Lorenzo Bruzzone of the University of Trento.

The discovery of this cave suggests the possibility of numerous pits and thousands of lava tubes on the moon. The researchers propose that the identified cave could potentially serve as a promising site for a lunar base, offering shelter from the harsh surface environment and supporting long-term human exploration of the moon.

However, the construction of habitats within the cave would pose challenges and require substantial time and effort. The researchers emphasize the need to reinforce the cave walls to prevent collapse. British astronaut Helen Sharman expressed optimism, suggesting that humans could seek shelter in lunar pits like this one within the next 20 to 30 years, but highlighted the potential requirement for additional equipment such as "jet packs or a lift" due to the cave's depth.

Beyond its potential as a habitat for future astronauts, the cave also presents a unique opportunity for scientists to gain insights into the moon's geological history. The rocks and materials preserved within these caves offer an unaltered record of the moon's evolution, especially regarding its volcanic activity.

The discovery of the lunar cave adds to the growing body of knowledge about the moon. Recently, China's Chang'e 6 lunar probe returned to Earth after collecting rock and soil samples from the moon's surface. Chinese scientists anticipate that these findings will contribute to a better understanding of the differences between the moon's two sides, each with its own distinct geographical features.

As scientists worldwide continue to expand the archive of moon research, the confirmation of the cave's existence brings new possibilities for human exploration and understanding of Earth's celestial neighbor.