It sounds like a science fiction plot from the 1950s: In the far future year of 2023, one researcher has proposed we blast dust off the moon to shield us from the sun.
But no – scientists from the University of Utah have calculated that it would be theoretically possible to shoot moon dust into space to block the sun’s rays before they reach Earth, in an attempt to stop the planet from warming.
The researchers say dust grains in the right place in space could shade the Earth for up to a week, and moon dust takes less energy to launch than dust from Earth.
Using moon dust also avoids any long-term impacts on Earth or its atmosphere.
And given the dust clouds would disperse relatively quickly, it would allow for some level of control over the shading between seasons.
“There is no need to actively manipulate orbits to remove dust when sun shielding is no longer beneficial,” the authors wrote.
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There are some catches, of course.
The researchers found roughly ten billion kilograms of material would be needed each year to have a climate impact, which is roughly 700 times more mass than humans have ever launched into space.
Nonetheless, they called for lunar launch facilities to become a priority.
“Once moon-based launch facilities are established, large amounts of dust could be uploaded quickly and continuously, factors that could be essential if humans do not correct course on climate change,” they wrote.
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