For decades, astronomers have dreamed of setting up an observatory on the far side of the Moon. I read about it as a kid. Now it's happening!
The LuSEE-Night radio telescope is under construction, and is scheduled to land on the lunar farside in 2025. It's a pathfinder for a much bigger radio telescope that would follow. https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2023/09/26/listening-to-the-radio-on-the-far-side-of-the-moon/ #space #nasa #science
@coreyspowell What is the benefit to a surface observatory over one in, say, the Earth/Moon L2 point?
@LouisIngenthron @coreyspowell
Radio telescopes need to be huge, and radio waves are harder to block than infrared. The sun also emits radio waves but I don't know how much of a problem it is.
Physician here, not physicist. All know about this I read in the link provided in the OP and this YouTube video by astrophysicist Matt O'Dowd
https://youtu.be/9F3WRMlZEy4