On Earth, the south pole may well be the worst place to live, but that region of the moon could be the best choice for future bases.
THREE SITES, located near the moon’s south pole, provide nearly constant sunlight, the researchers report in the May 1 edition of Geophysical Research Letters.
Having nearly constant light means the bases could use solar energy, reducing or eliminating the need for other energy sources, according to the team led by D. Ben J. Bussey of the European Space Agency in Noordwijk, Netherlands. They used data collected by the Clementine spacecraft.
In addition to the energy potential of the sites in the sun, there are nearby sites that are in constant darkness, the researchers added. There is the possibility that water ice could be hidden in such locations, they reported.
While the location of any Moon base would depend to a great extent on the purpose of the base, the researchers found three strong candidates.
Site A is on the rim of Shackleton crater, and B is about six miles away on a ridge originating from that rim. Site C is on the rim of another nearby crater.
During the Moon’s 708-hour day, A is in sunlight 80 percent of the time, B is lighted 70 percent of the time and C about 65 percent of the time.
“There is only a period of 10 hours when neither A nor B are in sunlight,” the researchers added. “Therefore if solar arrays were placed in both areas and connected by a link (either microwave or cable) then a base at either site would receive near constant solar energy.”
The temperature at the suggested sites is relatively constant because of the steady light and was estimated at about minus-64 degrees Fahrenheit. Engineers say it is easier to deal with a constant extreme temperature than one that is changing regularly, as would happen elsewhere on the moon with the regular changes from daylight to darkness.
In addition to Bussey, the research team included Paul D. Spudis of the Lunar and Planetary Institute and Mark S. Robinson of Northwestern University.
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