Lunar south pole

The lunar south pole at the center of this image, situated on the rim of Shackleton Crater. Mosaic image created by LROC (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) and ShadowCam
A view of the south pole of the Moon showing where reflectance and temperature data indicate the possible presence of surface water ice

The lunar south pole is the southernmost point on the Moon. It is of interest to scientists because of the occurrence of water ice in permanently shadowed areas around it. The lunar south pole region features craters that are unique in that the near-constant sunlight does not reach their interior. Such craters are cold traps that contain fossil records of hydrogen, water ice, and other volatiles dating from the early Solar System.[1][2] In contrast, the lunar north pole region exhibits a much lower quantity of similarly sheltered craters.[3]

  1. ^ "NASA Takes Aim at Moon with Double Sledgehammer". Space.com. 27 February 2008. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference look was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "South Pole Region of the Moon as Seen by Clementine". NASA. 3 June 1996. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2010.