This computer-generated image — a visualization of Shackleton crater on the Moon — shows the near (Earth-facing) side of the Moon to the right. Color coded and contoured elevation illuminates the crater floor. ⁣ ⁣ Shackleton is a well-preserved, bowl-shaped crater, 21 kilometers wide and 4 km deep, at the Moon's south pole. Its floor is in perpetual shadow, but LOLA, the laser altimeter on Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, reveals boulders and low hills, or hummocks, formed by material slumping from the crater's sides. Shackleton's cold interior may harbor water ice and other volatiles that would evaporate rapidly if exposed to the Sun. In contrast, some points on the rim of the crater are in persistent sunshine and may be ideal places for solar panels. ⁣ More to learn on our upcoming #Artemis missions: nasa.gov/Artemis ⁣ ⁣ Credit: NASA/Scientific Visualization Studio ⁣ ⁣ #nasa #moon #shackletoncrater #space #lunarexploration #moontomars #moon2024