De Gerlache-Kocher Massif: A Lunar Landmark Near South Pole with Potential for Future Human Settlement
A striking close-up image captures the De Gerlache-Kocher Massif on the edge of the Moon, rising approximately 4 kilometers above surrounding terrain near the lunar south pole. This mountainous formation is considered one of the most promising locations for future human missions due to its permanently shadowed craters—believed to contain water ice—and sunlit peaks ideal for solar energy generation. The image was taken on October 31, 2026, during a favorable libration angle that provided an oblique view across the southern hemisphere of the Moon.
