When in Glass Houses, Don’t Throw Moon Rocks!

In a recent article in National Geographic , a report appeared about the content of moon soil.

The soil was tested in Australia by Marek Zbik of the Queenstown University of Technology. The soil was originally collected by the Soviet Luna 16 space mission in 1970. This mission was the first to collect a soil sample and return to Earth.

The soil was made up of sand sized glass particles. Since the moon has no atmosphere, micrometeorites are striking the surface of the moon continuously. Upon impact the heat generates and forms glass.

Glass sometimes is formed on Earth – with larger meteorites, of course. The glass formed on Earth by this process is called Moldavite. Moldavite is used in the jewelry business and is prized for its metaphysical properties. Obsidian, another form of natural glass is formed by volcanic activity.

Back to the moon. This glass filled surface often in as much as three feet deep, according to the report. This glass acts like an insulator and actually can hover over the surface if charged electrostatically.

What would this mean to Channel 37 viewers?

Perhaps, if humans were to establish a permanent base on the moon, this glass could be used for building material. Glass can be heated and formed to be useful in any situation. Having a natural supply could reduce costs for moving materials from Earth.

Obviously, with the meteoric activity that the moon is subjected to, having glass domes with teaming city life below would be impractical. However, drilling into the moon’s rocky base and using the glass as a sealer would not be too illogical. A process like this certainly makes establishing settlements on the moon much more affordable.

Naturally, Channel 37 will be first to claim credit for this, should it actually happen. We would be glad to join the ranks of people like Arthur C. “I invented communication satellites” Clarke [NOTE: The sarcasm comes from co-founder Paul. I happen to like Arthur C. Clarke very much, even though I was a bit miffed when he left me out of the will] and other visionaries of science fiction.

When that day comes and this post sits etched in glass in the first glass dome dining hall, please remember one thing: Don’t throw moon rocks!