Should you yearn for the definitive book on the Moon, Paul Spudis’s The Once
and Future Moon (Smithsonian Institution Press, £23.25, ISBN 1 56098 634
4) fits the bill perfectly. It’s a history of Moon exploration from the time of
Galileo all the way to the 1994 Clementine survey which discovered ice there.
Included is an explanation of the Big Whack theory of the planet’s origin and a
powerful plea for crewed expeditions to start up again, culminating in Moon
colonies and mines. Scientific benefits could be spectacular: for instance,
telescopes on the Moon’s far side would command incomparable views of the
Universe.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Environment
Can cloud seeding save us from water bankruptcy?
Features
Environment
Carbon credits are flawed, but they can still help save forests
Analysis
ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ
PCOS has been officially renamed PMOS, and it’s a momentous move
Comment
Physics
Why do particle physicists like spending time in fields?
Comment
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
PCOS has been officially renamed PMOS, and it’s a momentous move
2
Where did the laws of physics come from? I think I've found the answer
3
Huge study of ancient British DNA reveals only minor Roman influence
4
Red-light therapy does have health benefits but not the ones you think
5
A new tectonic plate boundary could be forming in southern Africa
6
A lost ancient script reveals how writing as we know it really began
7
The story of the first human tool: the humble container
8
There has been a sudden increase in the rate of sea level rise
9
Polycystic ovary syndrome may be passed on via chemical tags on DNA
10
Can cloud seeding save us from water bankruptcy?
