Molecular Water in the Lunar Far South Using 6-Micron Spectral Imaging

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) made extensive observations of the distribution of water on the lunar surface during its last year of operations. We present the results of SOFIA observations in February 2022, covering the south pole and a portion of the lunar far south up to -60 degrees latitude. These were the first observations to make fully sampled maps resolving individual mountains and craters down to 10 km size. We find that lunar water is associated with topographic features in detail, such that the shaded regions behind high-altitude features have more water than the exposed, sunward features.

Видео Molecular Water in the Lunar Far South Using 6-Micron Spectral Imaging канала Lunar and Planetary Institute