A group of scientists suggest that a new geological era has begun on the moon, reflecting the fact that humans now have the greatest impact on the lunar surface. Researchers called the new era of the Moon the “Lunar Anthropocene.”

“Cultural processes are beginning to exceed the natural background of geological processes on the Moon,” Justin Holcomb, a postdoctoral researcher in archeology at the University of Kansas and lead author of the new paper, said in a statement. said. “We want to start discussing our impact on the lunar surface before it’s too late,” he added. The new study was published December 8 in the journal Nature Geoscience.

The idea of ​​the Anthropocene, or a geological period of human-caused change on Earth, has become increasingly accepted over the last 50 years. Although the concept is now widely accepted by scientists, the exact starting point and definition are still debated: there are many possible turning points, including the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and the first detonation of the atomic bomb.

However, when it comes to the Moon, the situation is clearer. In 1959, the first man-made object, the Soviet spacecraft Luna-2, crashed into the surface of the Moon, creating the first man-made crater and ushering in a new era of change. Over the years, humans have left many things on the Moon’s surface, including footprints, rover tracks, golf balls, flags, and bags of human feces.

The authors of the study claim that this human activity is more important than it seems. When there is a change in the lunar surface, for example due to a meteorite impact, this continues for a very long time; There is no erosion due to wind or rain on the Moon, which has no atmosphere. This means that any human impact on the lunar surface is essentially permanent.

Considering the large number of missions planned to the moon in the near future, the scientists’ offer to herald a new era in our celestial neighbor is especially timely. This increase in activity, which the authors call the “new space race,” includes private activities such as space tourism and lunar mining, as well as national efforts, including NASA’s Artemis missions that aim to return humans to the moon in 2025. finally to the moon. We set up a moon base camp.

“I think it’s very valuable to raise awareness that humanity is about to have a huge impact on the Moon, because it’s the Wild West,” said Jan-Peter Müller, professor of space and climate physics at University College. London, who was not involved in the new study, told LiveScience. He added that private enterprise is beginning to see untapped natural resources as a new frontier where enormous wealth can be achieved.

Preserving our “cosmic heritage” is another important goal of the Lunar Anthropocene proposal. Just as the petroglyphs and artifacts of our ancestors should be preserved on Earth, the various artifacts that define our species’ expansion into the solar system should also be preserved, the authors write.

“A recurring theme in our work is the importance of lunar material and lunar footprints as valuable resources akin to the archaeological record we seek to preserve,” Holcomb said. “The Lunar Anthropocene concept aims to raise awareness and thinking about our impact on the lunar surface, as well as our impact on the preservation of artifacts.”

Other scientists agree that humanity’s lasting physical impact and cultural legacy on the Moon must be evaluated.