Scientists puzzled by flashes on the moon
PRINT ALL READINGS (PDF)Moon Flashes - Level 4
Scientists are puzzled at flashes of light on the moon. This strange situation is happening several times a week. Sometimes the flashes are short; at other times they are long. On occasion, there are places on the moon that become darker. Experts are wondering what is causing the flashes. A meteorite strike can make the moon's surface glow briefly. The flashes could occur when electrically charged particles of solar wind hit moon dust.
A telescope has been set up to look at the moon. A professor said that seismic activities on the moon move its surface. He said gases that reflect sunlight could escape from the interior and cause the flashes. He added that the moon flashes have been happening since the 1950s, "but they have not been sufficiently observed". The professor said countries that want to build a base on the moon should be "familiar with the local conditions".
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Moon Flashes - Level 5
Scientists are puzzled at why there are flashes of light on the surface of the moon. This strange phenomenon is happening several times a week. Sometimes the flashes are short, while at other times they last longer. Scientists observed that on occasion, there are places on the moon that darken temporarily. Moon experts are speculating on what is causing the flashes. One scientist said a meteorite strike can make the moon's surface glow briefly. Another scientist wondered whether the flashes occurred when electrically charged particles of solar wind reacted with moon dust.
A telescope has been set up in Spain to observe the moon. The head of the telescope team is Hakan Kayal, a professor of space technology. He said: "Seismic activities were observed on the moon. When the surface moves, gases that reflect sunlight could escape from the interior. This would explain the luminous phenomena." He added that the moon flashes have been known since the 1950s, "but they have not been sufficiently observed". Professor Kayal said: "Anyone who wants to build a lunar base at some point must of course be familiar with the local conditions."
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Moon Flashes - Level 6
Scientists across the world are puzzled as to why there are flashes appearing on the surface of the moon. This unusual phenomenon has been happening several times a week. Sometimes the flashes of light are very short, while at other times the light lasts longer. Scientists have also observed that on occasion, there are places on the moon's surface that darken temporarily. Experts on the moon have been speculating on what is behind the flashes. One scientist said the impact of a meteorite can cause the moon's surface to glow briefly. Another scientist wondered whether the flashes occurred when electrically charged particles of solar wind reacted with moon dust.
A lunar telescope has been set up in Spain to observe what is happening on the moon. The head of the team behind the telescope is Hakan Kayal, a professor of space technology. He said: "Seismic activities were observed on the moon. When the surface moves, gases that reflect sunlight could escape from the interior of the moon. This would explain the luminous phenomena, some of which last for hours." He added: "The so-called transient lunar phenomena have been known since the 1950s, but they have not been sufficiently observed." Professor Kayal said: "Anyone who wants to build a lunar base at some point must of course be familiar with the local conditions."
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