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When we imagine lunar colonies, they mimic cities in a small scale and have sweeping vistas that include the Earth hanging above the horizon.
我们想象中的月球殖民地，会模仿小规模的城市，视野无比宽广，地球就高悬在地平线上。
But that's a great way to get cancer super fast since we still don't know how to protect ourselves from cosmic radiation.
但是，这样的话会很快患上癌症，因为我们仍然不知道如何抵御宇宙辐射，保护自己。
So one solution might be to eschew scenic surface colonies in favor of lovely lava tubes.
那么一个解决方法是远离风景优美的月球表面，转而选择可爱的熔岩管道。
Lava tubes on the Moon are basically the same as the ones we see here on Earth.
月球上的熔岩管道基本上和我们在地球上看到的一样。
Back in the Moon's history when it was geologically active, molten rock flowed over the surface.
月球历史上，在其地质活跃期，熔融的岩石流经地表。
The outside layer cooled first while the inside kept flowing.
首先冷却下来的是外层，而内部继续流动。
But once the Moon's internal lava flow ceased, left behind were these huge hollow passages.
但是一旦其内部熔岩流也停止了流动，留下的就是这些巨大的中空通道。
And because the Moon has relatively lower gravity, it's possible that these lava tubes could have high ceilings,
因为月球的重力场较弱，所以这些熔岩管顶部可能很高，
perhaps large enough to allow a city to be erected inside them.
也许高得足以让一座城市竖在里面。
YEAH. MOON CAVES.
耶！月球洞！
We can find these caves by looking for pits or "skylights."
我们可以通过寻找月球坑或“天窗”来发现这些洞穴。
And JAXA scientists did just that, as did NASA scientists using the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, and Japan with the Lunar Radar Sounder.
而JAXA和NASA的科学家们最近都有过尝试，美国利用月球勘测轨道飞行器进行，而日本利用月球雷达探测器进行。
They looked at the area close to the Marius Hills Hole, and found these skylights might lead to lava tubes.
他们勘测了马吕斯山附近的区域，发现这些天窗可能引向熔岩管。
Radar data shows a distinctive echo pattern of a loss of power followed by a peak,
雷达数据显示出一种独特的回波模式，即功率损耗，然后紧跟着出现一个峰值，
suggesting there might be a hollow underground lava tube in the area around these skylights.
这表明，在这些天窗附近，可能存在一个中空的地下熔岩管。
This would be great for astronauts!
这对宇航员来说简直太棒了！
The tube's thick roof would be a natural shield against cosmic and solar radiation,
管子厚厚的屋顶将是抵御宇宙和太阳辐射，
meteor impacts, and the Moon's extreme temperatures.
陨石撞击以及月球极端温度的天然屏障。
It's even possible that these tubes, with the end opening properly sealed with an airlock,
甚至这些末端开口管道，用气塞合适密封后，
could be pressurized with oxygen to create a breathable habitat on the moon.
用氧气加压，可以在月球上营造一个可供呼吸的栖息环境。
Yay, no space cancer! That is a far more appealing prospect than living in tiny modules that,
是的，没有太空癌症！比起生活在一个狭小单元中，生活在这里要吸引人得多，
frankly, wouldn't offer nearly as much protection from all of these hazards.
坦率地说，前者几乎无法提供任何关于太空危险的防护。
Of course Newt can't move there yet.
当然，Newt还不能搬到那里。
Scientists need to study the area more with better instruments to really figure out how big these potential underground tubes might be,
科学家们要用更好的仪器继续研究这个区域，才能真正弄清楚这些有潜力的管道到底有多大。
BUT the preliminary evidence all points to these natural structures offering at least some inherent protection.
但是初步证据全部表明这些自然结构至少为我们提供了一些固有的保护。
Not to mention this simplifies access to safe spaces on the Moon,
更不用说这让通往月球安全空间更加容易了，
and could come with the added bonus of giving researchers access to geologically significant sites that have so far been out of reach.
而且还会送给研究人员额外福利，那就是进入迄今为止遥不可及的重要地质遗迹。
Moon caves, FTW!
月球洞，太棒了！
Whether or not we'll have wifi access in those caves isn't clear yet, but just in case, why not set up your lunar exploration website now!
至于我们是否能在这些洞穴里接入无线网络信号，还不清楚，但以防万一，何不现在就布设一个月球探索网站！
When you buy a domain name from Domain.com, you're taking the first steps in creating an identity and vision for your brand.
当你购买域名之时，你就已经迈出了缔造品牌形象与愿景的第一步。
No domain extension will help tell your story like a.com or .net domain name.
像a.com或.net的域扩展名最能帮你讲出自己的故事。
Get 20% off Domain.com's already affordable domain names and web hosting when you use coupon code SEEKER at checkout.
如果你用SEEKER优惠券结账的话，本就便宜的域名和网站托管，还可以再享受20%的折扣。
For more science in your day, be sure to subscribe to Seeker,
为了你能获得更多的科学知识，一定要订阅Seeker节目，
and if you want to know whether we can just create an atmosphere on the Moon,
如果你想知道我们是否能在月球上建造一个大气层，
I've got some answers right here.
我这里有一些答案。
But speaking of, the Moon actually has an atmosphere, though it's so minor it properly speaking an exosphere.
但说到这里，月球实际上有一个大气层，尽管很稀薄，恰当来讲叫做散逸层。
