Lunar Flashlight: Illuminating the Lunar South Pole
B. A. Cohen, P. O. Hayne, B. T. Greenhagen, D. A. Paige, C. Seybold, John D. Baker
Abstract
Water ice and other volatile compounds may be present on the Moon's surface within permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) near the lunar poles. Understanding the composition, quantity, distribution, and form of water and other volatiles associated with lunar PSRs is identified as a Strategic Knowledge Gap (SKG) for NASA's human exploration program, projected to visit the lunar south pole in the next decade. These polar volatile deposits are also scientifically interesting, having potential to reveal important information about the delivery of water to the Earth-Moon system.
Topics & Concepts
AstrobiologyWater icePolarNorth poleRemote sensingFar side of the MoonGeologyEnvironmental sciencePhysicsAstronomyGeographyGeophysicsPhysical geographyPlanetary Science and ExplorationSpace Exploration and TechnologyScientific Research and Discoveries