Chandrayaan-3 finds unexpected intense plasma at Moon's South Pole

• Chandrayaan-3 revealed an "active" lunar South Pole with intense plasma activity.
• The Vikram lander's RAMBHA-LP probe made the first in situ plasma measurements at the South Pole.
• Measurements showed plasma densities of 380-600 electrons/cm³ and temperatures of 3,000-8,000 Kelvin.
• Plasma variations were observed, linked to the Moon's orbit and influence from solar wind or Earth's magnetotail.
• These findings provide crucial "ground truth" for future missions and support long-term human activity in polar regions.

Why It Matters: Chandrayaan-3 reveals active Moon plasma, crucial for future lunar missions.