Hill, one of the most famous craters of the moon can be 5 to 10% water ice

The new approximation of the amount of water ice led to radar Mini-RF, on board the American "moon" of the probe LRO. The focus, as in many similar studies, focused on the Moon's south pole, where the deep crater Shackleton . These places are the most promising for the construction of this permanent manned base on the edge of the crater found a lovely flat landing area, and located very near to the "peak of eternal light", where the sun shines constantly, it would be convenient to install solar panels.

Earlier, the Japanese with his probe  Kaguya  carried out extensive surveying and found no glare, which could indicate the presence of ice here (read: " Dry Moon "). However, more detailed studies LRO give a very different picture - on recent data, the ice on the slopes of the crater can be 5-10%. These data appear to be more reliable: they are not only in good agreement with the current knowledge of the presence of water on the moon, but also obtained using more advanced methods, because the radio signal, in contrast to conventional photography, is able to "consider" the ice and under a layer of dust.

The interior of the crater Shackleton remains in perpetual shadow, and the temperature is cold enough that the ice did not melt in it ever. Such assumptions about the "dark" polar craters of the moon were expressed more than once. Even before the analysis of the reflected neutrons showed that the amount of hydrogen closer to the poles of the satellite rises and the average water content corresponding to them in these areas could reach 1.5% by weight of the surface of the soil. Traces of ice were found in the study of the composition of the debris and dust that lifted probe LCROSS, controlled collided with the moon near its south pole. But the Indian probe Chandrayaan-1  similar data obtained in the study is the North Pole. Now they are confirmed by the new research.

Measurements were carried out in 2009-2010.: Board radar device sends a signal to areas covered by the shadow of the crater Shackleton, and the polarization of the return beam, scientists were able to judge the presence of ice. This beam can penetrate the surface to a depth of one meter, or even two, so - to find the ice, even if it is covered with centuries-old layer of dust. It happened in this case. We can say the place is ready - it is time to do the construction of the base?