What defines the Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) at the lunar south pole regarding temperature?
Answer
Temperatures plummeting below -163 degrees Celsius
The Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) are characterized by extreme cold because they are perpetually shaded due to the unique geometry where the Sun hangs very low on the horizon at the lunar poles. These conditions create environments that are among the coldest spots found anywhere in the entire Solar System, with recorded temperatures dropping significantly below -163 degrees Celsius. This deep freeze environment is crucial because it effectively traps volatile compounds, like water, delivered over billions of years by impacts, preserving them chemically unchanged for eons.
Related Questions
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