October 4, 2007 12:01 PM PDT
Why is there so much interest in the moon? Some think it might have an answer to earthlings' energy problems. One possibility gaining attention is Helium-3, a nonpolluting, nonradioactive isotope of helium that is rare on Earth but plentiful on the moon. The moon has enough helium-3 to power the earth for thousands of years, according to some scientists.
But not all scientists are convinced that helium-3 is the proper solution for the planet's energy needs. While helium-3 has potential, no one has built a fusion reactor that can economically extract its energy yet, and it may take decades to do so. Other experts aren't convinced it will ever be economically feasible to produce massive amounts of energy from helium-3. Still, helium-3 has scientists--and entrepreneurs, no doubt--interested.
At left is an artist's conception of a mining operation on the moon.
Photo by NASA
