In a recent interview with Tähdet ja Avaruus, the largest astronomy magazine in Northern Europe, we at Muon Solutions had the pleasure of explaining how cosmic muons are unlocking new possibilities for exploration—on Earth and beyond. It also covered the fascinating potential of muons in space exploration.
Muon Technology: Seeing Through Mountains
Muon particles, born from cosmic rays colliding with our atmosphere, are incredibly penetrative. They allow us to literally see through mountains, revealing their hidden density structures in 3D – just by observing the universe at work.
Muon detectors operate passively, consuming minimal power and requiring very little maintenance. Unlike X-ray machines, for example, they produce no harmful radiation, making them safe to use. These features make muon detectors ideal for hard-to-reach environments and for more ecological monitoring systems.
From hidden halls within pyramids to volcanic monitoring and beyond, muon detectors have already revolutionised how we study material density on Earth. As our CEO, Marko Holma, summarised during the interview:
“Muon imaging combines the power of high-energy physics with practical applications. These include geology, ore exploration, groundwater studies, infrastructure, nuclear power plants, archaeology, volcanoes—almost anything.“
“As an example of the versatility of the method, we recently collaborated with Japanese colleagues to study a tropical cyclone. By combining muon and weather data, we created the world’s first three-dimensional density map of such a powerful atmospheric phenomenon.“
Taking Muons to Space
One of the most exciting topics we discussed in the interview was the role of muons in space exploration. As plans for lunar and Martian colonisation progress, understanding subsurface structures at a local level becomes essential.
Astronauts on the surface are exposed to harmful radiation. To counter this, natural caves on both the Moon and Mars could provide shielded habitats. And muons could help verify their structural integrity, explains Jarmo Korteniemi, a planetary scientist and one of our experts interviewed for the article:
“Lunar lava tubes offer potential protection from radiation. However, their safety depends on factors like the thickness and stability of the ceiling. The ceilings are actually already partially collapsed, forming holes that make them identifiable in the first place. These “skylights” also provide ideal access points for lowering muon detectors into the tubes to assess their suitability for habitation.“
“And, once permanent habitats are built, whether it be in a cave or on the surface, their integrity must be monitored constantly. How will they react to the Moon’s long day-night cycles? Will cracks form? Could meteorite impacts or moonquakes compromise the protective barrier? A muon detector placed in the habitat—under the living room table, so to speak—would automatically track such changes over time.“
Muon technology would also be an invaluable tool for pinpointing in-situ resources. Korteniemi elaborates:
“On the Moon or Mars, it’s not enough to know that the material you need is somewhere within that square kilometre, or even this hectare. You should know exactly where your automated robot factory would achieve the best results. Muography helps pinpoint these spots remotely. The same obviously applies to terrestrial mineral exploration—you want to avoid extra work because it costs money. But on the planets it could cost the colony.“
Although no muon detector has been taken into space yet, the technology is already advanced enough to make it possible. The challenges of deploying muography in space are real but surmountable. With ongoing advancements in automation and detector miniaturisation, it’s only a matter of time before muons play a role in extraterrestrial exploration.
We are thrilled to see muon technology gaining recognition and exploring new horizons—both figuratively and literally. Our thanks to Tähdet ja Avaruus for shedding light on the diverse applications of muon imaging, and for sharing our vision for the future.
To read the full article (in Finnish), get your hands on the October 2024 issue of Tähdet ja Avaruus (7/2024, pages 28–33) either online or in your nearest public library.
