Skip to navigation | Skip to content  Scientists moot telescope
farm for moon  colourful moon  An array of telescopes on the far
side of the moon would probe radio waves for clues to how the
only universe evolved (Source: Galileo Project, JPL, NASA)
Astronomers looking for a clear and quiet place from which to
map the faintest echoes from the universe's infancy may have
found a welcome mat on the far side of the moon.  A farm of
lunar radio telescopes is among 19 next-generation observatories
that NASA is funding. Combined, the projects will receive US$12
million (A$13 million) for a year-long study.  The idea,
proposed by a team of scientists at the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT), takes advantage of the atmosphere-free
lunar environment.  The array would be located on the side of
the moon facing away from earth to assure that the ultra-low
frequency radio waves whispering from the universe's earliest
years can be heard over earthlings' ubiquitous broadcast
chatter.  Scientists don't know much a