Extreme light: astronauts will face a significant challenge at the Moon's south pole.

The NASA "Artemis" program aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon. The first manned lunar landing since 1972 is scheduled for 2027, and the landing site has been chosen for specific reasons. The Moon's South Pole is easily visible from Earth, is constantly illuminated by sunlight, and contains significant amounts of water ice. However, it also presents an extreme lighting environment that could threaten the safety of astronauts and reduce their operational efficiency, reports Earth.

At the Moon's South Pole, the Sun never rises more than a few degrees above the horizon. This geometry creates deep contrasts between bright light and deep shadow. In the past, astronauts did not face such issues, but now it requires a solution to ensure a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

The challenge is that while human eyes adapt well to varying lighting conditions, they struggle to see clearly in bright light and cannot quickly adjust to frequent transitions between bright and dark light and vice versa.

Astronauts on the Moon will need to endure prolonged exposure to sunlight and will also rely on artificial lighting in areas where sunlight never reaches. These conditions necessitate a more comprehensive approach to ensure effective vision, rather than relying solely on a spacesuit helmet. Enhanced vision is essential for performing various tasks, including navigating the surface, collecting samples, and operating rovers.

A recent study of existing technologies conducted by NASA scientists revealed that improving astronauts' vision in bright or dim conditions on the Moon requires new technologies.

It is necessary to align the design of the spacesuit helmets with the lighting systems in a way that helps astronauts adapt between dark and bright lighting environments while avoiding eye damage.

This should enable astronauts to clearly see their surroundings while working in bright sunlight, in shadow, or during transitions between very bright lighting and darkness. This will help mitigate hazards and enhance astronauts' work efficiency.

NASA scientists concluded that new functional vision support systems for astronauts need to be developed. This will require the helmet designs and lighting adjustments to work together as a cohesive system.