Science Fiction novel involving reality-altering alien technology (on the Moon?)

[papiermacheskull]

I'm not sure when this book was published but I read it maybe 20 years ago. What I remember is the following: an alien building of some sort is discovered on the Moon...or maybe an alien planet... After some investigation, it is found to contain a programming terminal of some type. The explorers learn how to use this and it turns out to be a tool for "hacking" or reprogramming the Universe, essentially allowing the user to spawn alternate realities. There are definitely meta elements to the story. I wish I could remember more, but that's it... thanks!

 

[Extollager]

Welcome to Chrons!

Could this be Ian Sales' Adrift on the Sea of Rains? It was published a lot more recently than 20 years ago, though! And it's not aliens but Nazis.

Adrift on the Sea of Rains

Nahhh... I'm almost certainly wrong.

Good novella, though.

 

[papiermacheskull]

Thanks, @Extollager - not the one I'm looking for, but I appreciate the effort.