A group of Russian-Chinese scientists conducted a photogeological analysis of the permanently shadowed bottom of the Shumaker crater located at the south pole of the Moon. The results of the study point to the presence of water in the form of ice at the bottom of the crater.
Oku.Azaccording to information provided by the Press Service of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia.
A reported novelty visible in the shadowed background is the sharp, “bright” outer end of the axis of some craters.
“This is probably due to the presence of water ice in the target material,” the agency noted.
The crater is located in the south polar region of the Moon. “ShadowCam” technology uses a highly sensitive camera developed at Arizona State University in the United States.
“The analysis showed that the morphology of the floor of Shoemaker Crater is dominated by craters, and the surface of the shaded lower parts of the inner slopes is wavy. That is, it has the texture of the so-called “elephant skin.” “This is characteristic of the plains and slopes normally illuminated by the Sun on the Moon. The only difference is that the wings “glow” on the floor of Shoemaker due to the presence of craters,” the scientists added.
It is observed that the outer ends of the axes of these craters appear very sharp in the images.
“By these characteristics, they are similar to many craters on Mars, which is due to the presence of a significant amount of water ice in the target. During the movement of the crater debris and the formation of the axis, the ice melts and the material is plastered,” the researchers point out.
It should be noted that the discovery of possible water ice deposits in Shoemaker Crater is of great importance for future lunar missions. Furthermore, these findings shed light on the geological history and evolution of our natural satellite.
