Published : 14 Sep 2026, 03:09 AM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:50 AM
Scientists say microscopic fragments of ancient alien technology may be scattered across the surface of the moon and could be relatively straightforward to find.
A new theoretical study, submitted to the International Journal of Astrobiology, does not claim evidence of alien civilisations but proposes a fresh method to search for them, reports Live Science.
Unlike Earth, the moon has no atmosphere, magnetic field, water, or tectonic activity.
This means material from across the solar system and beyond accumulates on its surface and stays there, undisturbed, over billions of years.
The researchers argue that some of this material originates from other star systems and may carry microscopic remnants of long-extinct civilisations -- traces left behind as their technology broke apart or was scattered by asteroid strikes on once-inhabited planets.
Using computer models, the team estimated that fragments up to three micrometres across could travel through interstellar space for up to a billion years before reaching our solar system and settling on the moon.
They propose that a one-cubic-metre sample of lunar soil could be enough to find at least one such fragment, using microscopy, industrial materials analysis, and AI-assisted imaging, according to Live Science.
No existing lunar samples have been examined for this kind of material, the authors note, adding that previous samples were likely too small to yield meaningful results.
Upcoming missions -- including China's Chang'e-7 and NASA's Artemis programme -- will collect fresh lunar samples, though in volumes far smaller than what the study recommends.
A permanent moon base, which both the US and China are planning within the next decade, may ultimately be needed to gather sufficient material.
The SETI Institute, which leads the global search for signs of intelligent life, called the concept "extraordinarily original and eminently reasonable."
