Экстремальное освещение: астронавты встретят серьезные трудности на южном полюсе Луны.

NASA's Artemis program aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon. The first crewed 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 extreme lighting conditions that could pose risks to astronauts' safety and hinder their operational efficiency, as reported by Earth.

At the lunar south pole, the Sun never rises more than a few degrees above the horizon. This geometry creates stark contrasts between bright light and deep shadows. While past astronauts did not face this issue, it now requires attention for enabling long-term human habitation 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 shifts between bright and dark environments.

Astronauts on the Moon will need to endure prolonged exposure to sunlight and will rely on artificial lighting in areas that are never illuminated by the Sun. These conditions necessitate a more integrated approach to ensure effective vision, rather than solely depending on the helmet of their space suit. Enhanced vision is crucial for a range of tasks, including navigating the surface, collecting samples, and operating rovers.

A recent study of existing technologies conducted by NASA researchers indicated that improving astronauts' vision in bright or dim conditions on the Moon will require new technological solutions.

It is essential to align the design of space suit helmets with lighting systems to assist astronauts in adapting between dark and bright environments while avoiding eye damage.

This will enable astronauts to clearly see their surroundings while working in bright sunlight, in shadows, or when transitioning between very bright light and darkness. Such improvements will help prevent hazards and enhance the efficiency of astronauts' work.

NASA scientists concluded that it is necessary to develop new functional vision support systems for astronauts. This will require the helmet designs and lighting settings to operate together as a cohesive system.