A comment paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience on December 8, 2023, has introduced the concept of the "Lunar Anthropocene," suggesting that the moon's surface has already been significantly impacted by human exploration. Lead author Justin Holcomb and his team argue that the moon's landscape is changing due to cultural processes that are increasingly outstripping natural geological processes.

The discussion of the Lunar Anthropocene draws parallels with the ongoing debate about the Anthropocene on Earth, which explores the extent of human impact on our planet. Just as the Anthropocene on Earth is believed to have started at some point in the past, possibly in the 1950s, the Lunar Anthropocene is said to have already commenced with the landing of the Soviet Union's Luna 2 probe on the moon's surface on September 13, 1959.

Since Luna 2's historic landing, more than a hundred spacecraft have crashed or touched down on the lunar surface, creating disturbances in at least 58 additional locations. The moon's environment, which lacks a protective atmosphere or magnetosphere, is constantly bombarded by micrometeorites. However, the researchers argue that human exploration has brought about more pronounced and unnatural changes.

Objects left behind on the moon by humans range from scientific equipment, spacecraft components, flags, photographs, and even golf balls to bags of human excrement and religious texts. The moon's delicate exosphere composed of dust, gas, and ice in permanently shadowed areas could be further disturbed as exploration intensifies.

The concept of the Lunar Anthropocene is particularly relevant at a time when multiple countries are embarking on new missions to the moon. India's Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed on the moon in 2023, while other missions, including Japan's "Moon Sniper" lander and Astrobotic Technology's Peregrine spacecraft, are scheduled for future attempts.

NASA's Artemis program aims to return humans to the lunar surface in 2026 and establish a sustained presence. China also has ambitions for lunar exploration. With multiple countries involved, ongoing discussions about the impact of human exploration and the preservation of historical artifacts become crucial.

As there is no single entity that owns the moon, the preservation of important sites such as the Apollo landing sites and cataloging of left-behind artifacts pose challenges. The researchers hope to raise awareness of the significance of human impact on the lunar surface and initiate discussions before irreversible changes occur.

The footprints left by astronauts on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission are seen as symbols of humanity's journey beyond Earth. They are viewed as valuable resources, akin to an archaeological record, and highlight the connection between planetary science and other disciplines like archaeology and anthropology.

The concept of the Lunar Anthropocene serves to remind us of the ongoing narrative of human exploration, from our origins in Africa to our future endeavors on planets like Mars. It emphasizes the need for responsible and thoughtful exploration as humanity ventures further into the cosmos.