A Physical and Spectroscopic Survey of the Lunar South Pole with the Galileo Telescope of the Asiago Astrophysical Observatory

Abstract

In recent years, interest in the Moon has grown exponentially, thanks mainly to space programs with strong international cooperation, such as the NASA Artemis program. Several scientific committees have identified the lunar south pole as the region of greatest interest for building a lasting and sustainable human settlement. However, the knowledge we have of this area is still limited. This work aims to provide a general overview of the main physical and morphological features of the lunar south pole and to propose a first iteration of spectroscopic observations within the visible range from the Asiago Astrophysical Observatory, giving a new and different perspective. The objective is to verify the feasibility of an Earth-based spectroscopic survey to detect water and the abundances of other volatiles and elements.