Lunar South Pole Illumination

The visualizations on this page simulate the lighting at the South Pole of the Moon in the years 2023 to 2030 at two-hour intervals, a total of 35,064 time steps or frames. The field of view encompasses the area south of 88° south latitude.

Global terrain mapping by Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's laser altimeter, LOLA, makes it possible to simulate sunlight and shadow on the Moon at any date in the past or future. This will be vital for planning exploration of the lunar South Pole, where the low Sun angle and rugged terrain produce a uniquely challenging lighting environment.