A spectacular oblique view of the rim of Shackleton crater near the south pole of the Moon, 89.66°S, 129.20°E. The crater is about 13 miles (21 kilometers) in diameter. While no location on the Moon stays continuously illuminated, three points on the rim remain collectively sunlit for more than 90% of the year. These points are surrounded by topographic depressions that never receive sunlight, creating cold traps that can capture ices. The narrow angle camera aboard NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter took this photo on Aug. 1, 2006.
Image Credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University
Published: February 5, 2018
Historical Date: August 1, 2006