Science · Lunar south pole

Shackleton Shadow Regions

Shackleton has illuminated rim regions and a permanently shadowed interior. Such cold traps are important targets for understanding possible volatile deposits.

Mission / archive

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

Historical milestone

Polar illumination studies

Approximate regional locator

-89.90°, 0.00°

Suggested virtual visit

0 of 3 stops reviewed

1. Rim illuminationCompare lit ridges with the crater interior.2. Shadow boundaryExplore how illumination changes across the terrain.3. Volatile scienceLearn why cold traps matter without assuming accessible ice deposits.

Mission archive

Read the original mission account and explore official imagery. Suggested stops are virtual study prompts, not measured waypoints or live robot access.

Official history and imagery ↗