Lunar Cold Trap

The Lunar Cold Trap refers to regions on the Moon, especially near the poles, where temperatures are extremely low—sometimes as cold as -250°F (-157°C). These permanently shadowed areas never see sunlight, causing volatiles like water ice and other gases to freeze and stay trapped there. Scientists are interested in these cold traps because they may contain preserved resources, such as water, which could support future lunar exploration and provide insights into the Moon's history and the solar system's formation.