Fact Check: n Mercury and the Moon, ice mostly exists in permanently shadowed craters.

Fact-Check: "On Mercury and the Moon, ice mostly exists in permanently shadowed craters."

What We Know

Recent studies indicate that both the Moon and Mercury may harbor significant deposits of water ice, particularly in areas known as permanently shadowed craters. These regions, located near the poles of both celestial bodies, do not receive sunlight, allowing temperatures to remain extremely low, which is conducive to the preservation of ice over geological timescales. According to NASA, the analysis of data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and MESSENGER spacecraft suggests that these permanently shadowed areas could contain thick ice deposits. The lead author of a study published in Nature Geoscience, Lior Rubanenko, noted that "shallow craters tend to be located in areas where surface ice was previously detected near the south pole of the Moon," implying that the shallowing of these craters is likely due to buried thick ice deposits (source-2).

Furthermore, the study found that craters near the poles of both the Moon and Mercury are up to 10% shallower, which researchers attribute to the accumulation of previously undetected thick ice deposits (source-3). This finding aligns with earlier observations that indicated the presence of glacier-like ice deposits on Mercury, which were confirmed by radar and imaging studies (source-4).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that ice exists in permanently shadowed craters on both Mercury and the Moon is robust. The studies referenced are published in reputable scientific journals and involve data collected from NASA missions, which adds to their credibility. For instance, the research led by Rubanenko utilized elevation data from both the LRO and MESSENGER missions to analyze approximately 15,000 craters, providing a comprehensive dataset for their conclusions (source-5).

Moreover, the concept of permanently shadowed regions is well-established in planetary science. These areas are theorized to be cold enough to trap ice for billions of years, as noted in multiple studies (source-6). The reliability of the sources is further supported by the involvement of prominent institutions such as NASA and UCLA, which are recognized for their contributions to space science.

However, it is important to note that while the evidence is compelling, the ice deposits on the Moon are suggested to be mixed with regolith, which may differ from the nearly pure ice found on Mercury (source-4). This indicates that while both celestial bodies have ice in permanently shadowed craters, the characteristics of these ice deposits may vary.

Conclusion

The claim that "on Mercury and the Moon, ice mostly exists in permanently shadowed craters" is True. The evidence from multiple studies, including direct observations from NASA missions, supports the existence of significant ice deposits in these regions. The findings highlight the potential for these ice reserves to play a crucial role in future lunar exploration and understanding the history of water in our solar system.

Sources

1. The Moon and Mercury May Have Thick Ice Deposits
2. Thick ice deposits in shallow simple craters on the Moon ...
3. Moon has more water ice than previously thought – UCLA EPSS
4. Moon has more water ice than previously thought
5. Thick ice deposits in shallow simple craters on the Moon ...
6. Moon Water and Ices
7. Permanently shadowed crater
8. Thick ice deposits in shallow simple craters on the Moon and ...