logo
Astronauts could make 'Moonglass' solar panels from lunar dust

Astronauts could make 'Moonglass' solar panels from lunar dust

BBC News04-04-2025
Could moonbases be powered by solar panels made from melted moon dust? That's what a team of scientists led by Felix Lang of the University of Potsdam, in Germany, have been trying to discover.They have made a 'moonglass' solar panel prototype. A prototype is an early version of a design which you can use to test out what works and what doesn't work.Their hope is that astronauts living on the Moon could make moonglass solar panels to provide them with power.
Why not use solar panels instead?
'Why not make solar panels on Earth and put them on board a rocket to the Moon?' - we hear you ask!Well, that is what astronauts and engineers have been doing over the last few years. "The solar cells used in space now are amazing, reaching efficiencies of 30% to even 40%, but that efficiency comes with a price," says researcher Felix Lang.But solar panels are quite heavy, and transporting them to space increases the weight of the rocket carrying them, meaning it needs more power to blast off, which costs more money."They are very expensive and are relatively heavy because they use glass or thick foil as cover. It's hard to justify lifting all these cells into space." said Felix Lang.So Felix's team are looking into the possibility of making solar panels on the Moon using materials available on the lunar surface. This change could reduce a spacecraft's launch weight by 99.4%, cut 99% of transport costs, and make long-term living on lunar bases more possible.
What is moonglass, and how have scientists made it?
As part of their research the scientists made a synthetic - or man-made - version of moon dust and melted it down to make moonglass.They then mixed in a crystal material called perovskite - which is able to cheaply, easily and efficiently turn sunlight into electricity.The scientists say this could be done by astronauts on the Moon, using concentrated sunlight to melt the materials together.When the team put their prototype panels to the test, they zapped them with space-grade radiation, and found that the moonglass versions performed better than the Earth-made ones. This is because standard glass slowly turns brown in space, blocking sunlight and meaning it doesn't work as well. However, moonglass has a natural brown tint, which prevents it from further darkening, and makes the solar panels more resistant to radiation.
The scientists still have a few unanswered questions from their research, including how the Moon's environment would affect the making process.Things like the Moon's gravity being different to on Earth, and whether the Moon's changing temperatures could affect the process.The team hopes that one day they can launch a small experiment to the moon to test out their solar panels in real lunar conditions."From extracting water for fuel to building houses with lunar bricks, scientists have been finding ways to use moon dust," said lead researcher Felix Lang. "Now, we can turn it into solar cells too, possibly providing the energy a future moon city will need."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Commander of NASA's Apollo 13 mission Jim Lovell dies aged 97
Commander of NASA's Apollo 13 mission Jim Lovell dies aged 97

Daily Mail​

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Commander of NASA's Apollo 13 mission Jim Lovell dies aged 97

Legendary astronaut Jim Lovell, who commanded the almost-doomed Apollo 13 lunar mission has passed away, aged 97. Lovell helped turn the 1970 failed moon mission into a success by safely returning the crew back to Earth after an oxygen tank exploded. NASA's Sean Duffy announced the commander's passing, and said the astronaut's life and work 'inspired millions of people across the decades'. Duffy said: 'Jim's character and steadfast courage helped our nation reach the moon and turned a potential tragedy into a success from which we learned an enormous amount. We mourn his passing even as we celebrate his achievements. 'From a pair of pioneering Gemini missions to the successes of Apollo, Jim helped our nation forge a historic path in space that carries us forward to upcoming Artemis missions to the moon and beyond.' Lovell was a veteran of spaceflights Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13. The 1968 Apollo 8 crew, with Lovell, Frank Borman, and William Anders, was the first manned mission to leave Earth's orbit, and the first to fly to and circle the moon. Though they could not land on the lunar surface, their mission still put the U.S. ahead of the Soviets in the space race. Letter writers said the crew's historic 'pale blue dot' photo of Earth from the moon, a world first, and their Christmas Eve reading from the Bible's Genesis helped lift America during the turbulent year. Tom Hanks played Lovell in director Ron Howard's acclaimed 1995 film Apollo 13. The movie was inspired by Lovell's 1994 book Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage Of Apollo 13. Lovell recalled a meeting with Howard, in which the director asked him which actor he would want to play him. Lovell added: 'I said, Kevin Costner and Hanks never lets me forget that... But Hanks did a great job.' Lovell made a cameo appearance in the film as the commander of the U.S. Navy ship that retrieves the astronauts and shakes hands with Hanks. Lovell, who had a moon crater named in his honor, retired as an astronaut in 1973, working first for a harbor towing company and then in telecommunications. He had four children with his wife Marilyn, who died in 2023.

Exact time to spot the Perseid meteor shower from the UK tomorrow
Exact time to spot the Perseid meteor shower from the UK tomorrow

Wales Online

time4 hours ago

  • Wales Online

Exact time to spot the Perseid meteor shower from the UK tomorrow

Exact time to spot the Perseid meteor shower from the UK tomorrow The Perseids meteor shower, which is active from July 17 until August 24, is expected to peak on Tuesday Perseid meteor showers have been witnessed for almost 2,000 years (Image: Nick Fitzhardinge via Getty Images) Stargazers are in for a breathtaking spectacle as the Perseids meteor shower reaches its pinnacle tomorrow. The Royal Observatory has confirmed that the meteor shower began on July 17 and will continue through to August 24. ‌ Throughout recent evenings, its displays have been building in intensity, with expectations that Tuesday will deliver the most dazzling performance. In fact, NASA has hailed it as the 'most popular meteor shower of the year'. ‌ Dr Shyam Balaji, theoretical physicist, King's College London, also commented: "The Perseid meteor shower is caused by the Earth travelling through the debris left by a comet called Swift-Tuttle. ‌ "The debris falls through the Earth's atmosphere and as it burns up you get the meteor shower display. It is one the fastest and brightest meteor showers of the year, so an astronomical highlight for stargazers." According to the Mirror, UK observers can anticipate seeing meteors from the moment the sun disappears below the horizon. Jupiter and Venus are also set to make their closest approach to Earth today and tomorrow, offering sky-watchers the chance to potentially witness both planetary giants. UK observers can anticipate seeing meteors from the moment the sun disappears below the horizon (Image: Getty Images) ‌ However, Dr Balaji warned that light from the full Moon might make it more challenging to view both these planets and the meteor spectacle. Reports suggest the Moon is expected to shine at around 84%. Dr Balaji continued: "The best place to view the Perseid meteor shower is in the North East near the constellation Perseus. While you can look at the whole sky and are likely to see a meteor, that's the target location in order to get the best viewing experience." She later added: "For me personally, I the best way to view the meteor shower is just with your naked eye because of the speed with which they move. ‌ "But you could use Sky Guide or Stellarium or other stargazing apps to get a better viewing experience, to target the right regions of the sky to see the meteor shower." The Perseid meteor shower has been observed for almost 2,000 years. It results from Earth traversing through a dust cloud left in the wake of Comet Swift-Tuttle. The meteors involved are surprisingly minuscule - no larger than a grain of sand - and incinerate upon entering Earth's atmosphere. Travelling at approximately 36 miles per second, these tiny fragments create vivid streaks of light across the sky. Article continues below Named after the constellation Perseus - believed to be their point of origin - the Perseids are renowned for their fireballs. These are distinguished by large explosions of light and colour that linger in the sky longer than an average meteor trail. What do you think? Let us know in the comment sections below

Best place to see the magnificent Perseid meteor shower in Wales
Best place to see the magnificent Perseid meteor shower in Wales

Wales Online

time7 hours ago

  • Wales Online

Best place to see the magnificent Perseid meteor shower in Wales

Best place to see the magnificent Perseid meteor shower in Wales The Perseids is one of the longest and brightest meteor showers of the year, and the best place to see it is somewhere in Wales. The meteor will be visible from the UK (Image: Maya Karkalicheva via Getty Images) UK stargazers are in for a celestial spectacle this month as the renowned Perseids meteor shower illuminates the night sky. ‌ The Perseids, one of the year's most brilliant and famous meteor showers, is caused by Earth traversing the debris trail left by Comet 109P/Swift Tuttle. ‌ As Earth moves through this trail, minuscule meteoroids collide with our atmosphere at a speed of 36 miles per second. This results in them igniting and streaking across the sky as shooting stars, visible to observers on the ground. ‌ The shower is expected to reach its peak between August 11-13, and for those seeking the best view of this extraordinary display, dark skies are crucial. City and town lights can hinder visibility of the meteoroids, so a location without light pollution is essential. ‌ Planet Cruise says that the best spot to witness the Perseids is Snowdonia in Wales with an elevation of 3,560 feet and minimal light pollution, it offers awe-inspiring views of the Milky Way, constellations, and meteor showers. The expansive national park boasts numerous viewing spots, promising a memorable stargazing experience, reports the Express. Snowdonia is the best place to see the meteors (Image: Michael Roberts via Getty Images) ‌ Coming in second is another UK locale - Wasdale, home to England's tallest peak, Scafell Pike. With no light pollution and an elevation of 978 metres, it offers pristine night skies ideal for observing astronomical marvels. Whether from the valleys or the peaks, Wasdale provides unmatched opportunities for stargazing enthusiasts. For stargazing beyond the UK, Interlaken in Switzerland is a top pick due to its high altitude. With an elevation of 568 metres and minimal light pollution, the Milky Way is often visible from Interlaken. ‌ If you're planning to catch the Perseid meteor shower this week, it's important to take some steps for maximum visibility. The stars will be visible from the UK (Image: bjdlzx via Getty Images) Steer clear of bright lights to allow your eyes to adapt to the darkness. It can take up to 30 minutes for your eyes to fully acclimatise to the night sky. Article continues below And ensure that your chosen spot for watching the meteors offers a clear view of the sky. Above all, sit back and savour the spectacle. Allow the tranquillity of nature to soothe and ground you as you marvel at the breathtaking display of the meteor shower.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store