What are the scientific objectives of Chandrayaan 2? Why explore the Lunar South Pole?
Moon provides the best linkage to
Earth’s early history. It offers an undisturbed historical record of the
inner Solar system environment. Though there are a few mature models,
the origin of Moon still needs further explanations. Extensive mapping
of lunar surface to study variations in lunar surface composition is
essential to trace back the origin and evolution of the Moon. Evidence
for water molecules discovered by Chandrayaan-1, requires further
studies on the extent of water molecule distribution on the surface,
below the surface and in the tenuous lunar exosphere to address the
origin of water on Moon.
The lunar South Pole is especially
interesting because of the lunar surface area here that remains in
shadow is much larger than that at the North Pole. There is a
possibility of the presence of water in permanently shadowed areas
around it. In addition, South Pole region has craters that are cold
traps and contain a fossil record of the early Solar System.
Chandrayaan-2 will attempt to soft land
the lander -Vikram and rover- Pragyan in a high plain between two
craters, Manzinus C and Simpelius N, at a latitude of about 70° south.
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