Ingrid Klein, age 13, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, for her question:

Were there ever volcanic eruptions on the moon?

This tantalizing question has been bothering astronomers for ages. Seen from afar, the face of the moon seems to be covered with scars that might have been formed by volcanic eruptions of the past. What's more, several sharp eyed observers have reported seeing rosy glows and other evidence that could be caused by volcanic activity. However, the scars on the moon also resemble those made on the earth by falling meteors. These two interpretations created a rather hot controversy in the world of science. Some experts were sure that the face of the moon had been scarred by ancient volcanic activity. Others were equally sure that the scars were caused by meteors crashing down upon its airless, unprotected face.

The Space Age is giving us closer and still closer looks at the surface of the moon. The evidence seems to suggest that the old controversy was unnecessary, but we need to know more to be sure. Certainly the moon was bombarded with meteors, but most likely it also was scarred by volcanic activity. We have no proof of major lunar eruptions in recent times, but many experts suspect that fumes and steamy gases still may ooze up from ancient cracks in the lunar crust.  Evidence gathered my astronauts  and lunar samples indicate there has been volcanic activity on the moon.