110 - Polar Areas: the Peaks of Eternal Light

As Clementine flew over the Pole - every 5 hours - it began its photographic mapping pass by imaging the Pole. These images are composites, showing the addition of alternate orbit polar images over the course of 1 Lunar Day (such as 1 Earth month). In these composite maps, areas in permanent darkness are black, while areas of permanent illumination are white; areas of mixed lighting condition are represented in various shades of gray. Note that the South Polar Area has the largest area of permanent darkness, measuring more than 15,000 square kilometers. The north pole shows only about 500 square kilometers of darkness. Several areas are evident that have near-constant Sun illumination. Such zones would have great value as sites for a permanent lunar outpost.