The lunar south pole is the southernmost point on the Moon, located at 90°S. It is of special 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, making them cold traps that contain a fossil record of hydrogen, water ice, and other volatiles dating from the early Solar System.
The lunar south pole is located on the rim of the 21-kilometer-diameter Shackleton crater. This region is a heavily cratered terrain with dramatic topography, unlike the relatively flat lava flow surface that characterized the Apollo 11 landing site. The South Pole is also at the edge of the Aitken basin, the largest impact basin in the Solar System.
The lunar south pole has shifted 5 degrees from its original position billions of years ago, which has changed the rotational axis of the Moon, allowing sunlight to reach previously shadowed areas. However, the south pole still features some completely shadowed areas, making it a compelling spot for future exploration missions.
