Lunar south pole

Lunar south polar region (>70°S): mosaic of ~1500 images by the Clementine spacecraft

A view of the south pole of the Moon. Data suggests the possible presence of surface water ice

The lunar south pole is a place on the Moon. It has a special interest because ice seems to be inside the craters.

As the moon orbits, it keeps one face always opposite the Earth. So when the Sun shines on it, it shines obliquely on the poles. Thus it never reaches the ice inside the craters, and the water stays frozen. The same pattern might apply to the Moon's northern pole, but that has fewer craters.

Lunar South Pole Media

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  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

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  Full Moon with south polar region features marked

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  Aerial view of the polar region craters with elevation colouring

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  Lunar south polar region map (>80°S)

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  Degree of the slopes found within 15 degrees of the south pole of the Moon

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  India's Chandrayaan-3 (2023) became the first lunar mission to achieve a soft landing near the lunar south pole.

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  Geological map of the lunar south pole region

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  A simulated view of Earth from the vicinity of Shackleton Crater, visible as a thin illuminated rim

References

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