The research indicates that the accumulation and movement of ice on the Moon’s surface over time can be better understood through the data gathered by the Chandrayaan-3 mission. It suggests that ice may exist in more locations just beneath the lunar surface at the poles than previously believed. According to lead author Durga Prasad Karanam from the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, significant local variations in surface temperatures can influence ice formation, and analyzing these ice particles can provide valuable insights into their origins and historical context. This research contributes to our understanding of the Moon’s early geological processes, with the findings published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment. The Chandrayaan-3 mission, which was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from Bengaluru, successfully executed a soft landing near the Moon’s south pole on August 23, 2023. The landing site was subsequently named ‘Shiv Shakti Point’ on August 26, just three days after the landing. In this research, the scientists examined temperature readings taken at the lunar surface and at a depth of 10 centimeters. These measurements were obtained using the ‘ChaSTE’ probe, which is part of the Vikram lander from the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The lander successfully landed near the Moon’s south pole, specifically at approximately 69 degrees south latitude.
At this particular site, characterized as “a Sun-facing slope angled at six degrees,” the researchers observed temperature fluctuations, with peaks reaching around 82 degrees Celsius during the day and plummeting to -170 degrees Celsius at night. In contrast, just a meter away on a flat surface, the maximum temperature recorded was about 60 degrees Celsius. The authors noted that the slight slope contributed to increased solar radiation at the ChaSTE measurement point. Additionally, the research team created a model to explore how the angle of slopes influences surface temperature in high lunar latitudes, such as that of the landing site. This model suggested that slopes oriented away from the Sun and towards the Moon’s nearest pole, with an inclination greater than 14 degrees, could be sufficiently cool for ice to form near the surface. The slope characteristics indicated by the model were found to closely resemble those of potential landing sites proposed for NASA’s upcoming manned mission to the Moon’s south pole, known as ‘Artemis.’ The possibility of ice converting to water on the Moon is virtually nonexistent due to the extreme vacuum conditions present on its surface. Consequently, ice does not transition into a liquid state; instead, it undergoes sublimation, transforming directly into vapor. Current scientific consensus suggests that the Moon has likely never possessed conditions suitable for habitability. Nevertheless, the presence of ice represents a valuable resource for future exploration and potential habitation efforts on the lunar surface. To fully understand this resource, further measurements, such as those obtained from the ChaSTE experiment, are essential. The lead author emphasized the necessity of developing techniques and strategies for the extraction and utilization of ice to ensure long-term sustainability on the Moon. The findings from ChaSTE reveal not only the fine-scale spatial variability of regolith temperatures but also highlight high-latitude regions as promising candidates for locating water-ice, resource exploration, and potential habitation. These areas are not only of significant scientific interest but also present fewer technical challenges for exploration compared to regions situated closer to the lunar poles.
