The lunar peak that never sees a shadow

Space · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Deep within the Moon's South Pole lies a geographic anomaly: a peak illuminated almost constantly by the Sun. This unique location, known as the Peak of Eternal Light, is becoming a primary target for future human outposts due to its persistent solar exposure.

The Peak of Eternal Light is situated approximately 17 km from the Moon's South Pole. Because of the Moon's axial tilt and the specific topography of the lunar surface, this location receives nearly continuous sunlight. This makes it a high-priority site for a future lunar outpost, as it provides a consistent source of solar energy in a region otherwise defined by extreme shadows and light cycles.

To visualize this terrain, the European Space Agency (ESA) utilized data from the SMART-1 lunar orbiter. The mission, launched in 2003 to test solar electric propulsion, concluded in September 2006 when the spacecraft intentionally impacted the lunar surface. Scientists used the Advanced Moon Imaging Experiment (AMIE) to capture images of the region, specifically focusing on the area around the Shackleton Crater.

The 3D lunar surface seen in the 'The Peak of Eternal Light' film was constructed using a technique called 'shape-from-shading.' In a novel application of this method, researchers simultaneously processed five images taken under diverse lighting conditions. Originally developed for pure research, this model was adapted into a virtual guided tour featuring a shuttle called 'Sparrow,' led by Commander Björn Grieger, the liaison scientist for the AMIE and SIR instruments.

The project premiered in July 2009 at the Ars Electronica Center in Linz, Austria. It served as a centerpiece for the International Year of Astronomy and the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. It represents a transition from raw scientific data—archived by scientists like Grieger—into a public-facing medium that allows for the exploration of deep-space geography.

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