"Entering the Lunar Anthropocene: Humanity's Mark on the Moon"
Scientists from the University of Kansas propose that the Moon has entered a new epoch called the "Lunar Anthropocene" due to the significant human impact since the Soviet Union's Luna 2 spacecraft in 1959. With over 100 spacecraft visits altering the Moon's surface, human activity is now a dominant force in its evolution. The researchers aim to raise awareness about the Moon's vulnerability and the need for policies to protect it from further damage, while also ensuring that human interactions with the Moon are meticulously recorded for historical and archaeological purposes.