Lunar south pole

Mosaic of the lunar south pole from images acquired by ESA’s SMART-1. The poles are spared the temperature extremes of the two-week lunar days and nights experienced at lower latitudes. This mosaic is composed of images of the south pole, taken between May 2005 and February 2006, during different phases of the mission and from a distance of about 400 km, allowing medium-field snapshots (about 40 km across) and high-resolution views (40 m/pixel) of the region. From 109 of 113 SMART-1 images of the Shackleton area taken during the season, an illuminated peak located 7 km from the Shackleton rim was identified. This “Peak of (almost) Eternal Light” could be used to supply electricity via solar panels to a future base.