Some craters on the Moon are colder than the surface of Pluto.

The Moon's axial tilt is only 1.5 degrees, which is nearly perpendicular to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. This unique geometry means that at the lunar poles, the Sun never rises high above the horizon. Deep craters in these regions have high rims that cast permanent shadows over their floors, creating what NASA calls Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs).In 2009, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) used its Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment to measure temperatures in these dark spots. The data revealed that temperatures in the Hermite Crater near the north pole drop to 26 Kelvin, or -247.15°C. For comparison, the surface of Pluto typically ranges from 40 to 60 Kelvin, making these lunar pockets some of the coldest spots ever measured in the solar system.These extreme conditions are scientifically significant because they act as 'cold traps.' Any water molecules that enter these craters become frozen instantly and can remain trapped for billions of years. This ice provides a historical record of the early solar system and represents a vital resource for future lunar bases. NASA's Artemis program plans to explore these regions to harvest water for drinking and rocket fuel.