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Lunar Dust: A Major Worry for Moon Visitors

Posted by timothy on from the applies-also-to-el-paso dept.

smooth wombat writes "Wired has a story which talks about a danger to possible future inhabitants of the Moon that is rarely brought up: the highly abrasive lunar dust. Unlike Earth, the Moon has no erosive capabilities to smooth the edges of rocks or dust. As a result the lunar dust has arms that stick out, like Velcro, and sticks to everything. As the astronauts who walked on the moon found out, the dust scratched lenses and corroded seals within hours. Some of the particles are only microns across which means once they get into your lungs, they stay there. This could cause a lung disease similar to silicosis."

3 of 464 comments (clear)

  1. Wow, what a trivial concern by QuantumG · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Just leave your space suit in the airlock, thank you.

    --
    How we know is more important than what we know.
  2. Space suit by mschaffer · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Yet another reason to keep your helmet on while out on the moon.

  3. Call me stupid, but... by scovetta · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Some of the particles are only microns across which means once they get into your lungs, they stay there. This could cause a lung disease similar to silicosis."

    Since when are people walking around on the moon breathing in the lack-of-oxygen?

    Or are we talking post-"Total-Recall" terraforming?

    --
    Wer mit Ungeheuern kämpft, mag zusehn, dass er nicht dabei zum Ungeheuer wird. --Nietzsche