The far side of the moon also offers scientists like Dr. Jill Tarter, director of research for the SETI Institute, a place to search for signs of extraterrestrial life without the distractions of Earths radio waves getting in the way. Dr. Tarter commented that the moon's far side offers pristine space with no radio-frequency interference. She said it also has no atmosphere and a low magnetic background, making it a near-perfect place for optical observations, radio astronomy and SETI.

"The far side versus the near side makes logistical support and infrastructure more difficult, but as the one place in the solar system that never has the Earth in its sky," commented Dr. Tarter. She believes the benefits outweigh the challenges.

Peter Kokh agreed wholeheartedly with Tarter that the 2,000-mile (3,220-kilometer) thick bulk of the moon stops all radio-spectrum noise generated from Earth. (i.e. radio, TV, microwaves, radar, etc.). The only signals there will be the are natural static from the stars and artificial signals, if any, from other civilizations.

Kokh also said the lava tubes on the moon are the ideal place to leave a time capsule. They are safe from all of Earths natural disasters. The lunar lava tubes are 3 billion years old and on a stable body. These tubes are the best place in our solar system to conceal the remnants of our civilization -- i.e. signs of existence to be found by other beings visiting the moon, Kokh said. So, not only could we find signs of extraterrestrials in these lava tubes, he also suggests we leave our art, literature and history there for other forms of life to discover.

1. To Secure a Future for Humanity
2. To Build a New Frontier
3. To Find New Energy Sources
4. To Build an Industrial Settlement On the Moon
5. Better Quality Images of the Universe -- and More of Them
6. The SETI Effort
7. Mining
8. Learning the History of Our Universe On the Moon
9. Environmental Benefits
10. Meeting the Challenge