“A lunar dust screen could be a weapon against climate change” – Business AM

by Marc Horckmans
published on Sunday, February 12, 2023 To 09:40 •
4 min read

Lunar dust could potentially offer protection against the further warming of our planet: it could be used to create a screen about a million kilometers from Earth to temper the intensity of sunlight. This is what a study by astrophysicists from the University of Utah reveals..

Why is this important?

The University of Utah report suggests firing rockets at the lunar surface, the impact of which could kick up a mass of dust. This cloud could be used to build a screen of sand grains between the Earth and the sun. It could partially block the sun’s light and heat. However, the operation should be repeated at regular intervals.

Lunar dusts turned out to have the ideal size and composition to effectively attenuate sunlight, according to research director Ben Bromley.

• The Bromley team looked at various substances, including coal and sea salt, that could be used to attenuate sunlight in space by around 2%.
• However, to maintain this solar shield, the operation should be repeated every year.
• Bromley admitted that

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