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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Nicola Davis Science correspondent

Scientists hope to shed light on young universe by using far side of the moon

Illustration of the CosmoCube satellite with gold sails orbiting above a cratered moon
By collecting data when the CosmoCube passes the far side of the moon, the team hopes to avoid interference caused by FM radios and other technology on Earth. Photograph: RAL Digital Creative Services./STFC/UKRI

Little is known about what was happening shortly after the big bang, but now researchers are hoping to shed fresh light on the matter by harnessing the far side of the moon.

Scientists plan to put a suitcase-sized satellite into orbit around the moon, using the data it collects as it passes the far side to search for a radio frequency signal emitted by neutral hydrogen atoms in the early universe.

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