NEWS: Chandrayaan-2 Finds ‘Possible Presence’ of Ice in Lunar South Pole

What is the Discovery?

• Scientistsà detected radar signatures indicating the possible existence of water ice beneath the lunar surface in certain areas of the Moon's South Pole.
• Focused on doubly shadowed craters located in the Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) of the Moon.
• Advanced radar analysis revealed signals that are consistent with the presence of subsurface ice deposits beneath the floors of four such craters.

Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs)

• Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs)à Areas near the Moon's poles that never receive direct sunlight.
• These regions remain in darkness because of the Moon's small axial tilt.
• Since sunlight does not reach these regions, temperatures remain extremely low.

Role of DFSAR

• The discovery was made using the Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR) onboard the Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter.
• DFSAR sends radar signals toward the lunar surface and studies the reflected signals.
• Different materials reflect radar waves differently.
• By analyzing the reflected radar signatures, scientists can identify substances hidden beneath the surface.

Radar Polarimetric Analysis

• Scientists used advanced Radar Polarimetric Analysis techniques.
• This method studies the polarization characteristics of reflected radar waves.
• The observed radar patterns matched signatures expected from subsurface water ice deposits.
• However, scientists have used the phrase "possible presence" because direct physical confirmation is still required.

About Chandrayaan-2

• Chandrayaan-2 was launched by ISRO on 22 July 2019.
• It was India's second lunar exploration mission after Chandrayaan-1.
• The mission consisted of: Orbiter, Vikram Lander, Pragyan Rover