Lunar south pole

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/lunar-south-pole

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the geographic location?The southernmost point on the Moon's surface, characterized by extreme topography
2. What is the key geological feature?Numerous impact craters with interiors in perpetual shadow, acting as cryovolcanic traps
3. What is the Moon's super secret spot?The Moon's super secret spot is the south pole. It has many deep craters that stay in permanent darkness, keeping cold temperatures and protecting ice.
4. Why do some craters on the Moon stay dark all the time?The Sun never shines inside those deep craters, so they stay very cold. The cold keeps water ice from turning into gas and leaving the Moon.

Volatiles: Chemical compounds that readily vaporize at relatively low temperatures, such as water, ammonia, and carbon dioxide.
Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs): Lunar areas that never receive direct sunlight due to topography, maintaining extremely low temperatures.
In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU): The practice of using local resources on celestial bodies to support human exploration and reduce reliance on Earth-based supplies.