New research shows there may be frozen water inside a massive crater, called the Shackleton crater.  (CNN/NASA)

New research shows there may be frozen water inside a massive crater, called the Shackleton crater. (CNN/NASA)

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Moon crater may contain frozen water

Updated: Thursday, 21 Jun 2012, 10:42 AM CDT
Published : Thursday, 21 Jun 2012, 10:42 AM CDT

(CNN) - Scientists say they may have made an exciting new discovery on the moon's south pole.

New research shows there may be frozen water inside a massive crater, called the Shackleton crater.

Researchers from NASA, MIT and Brown University say they studied the crater with the help of a laser device. They say the laser lit up the area and allowed them to measure the natural reflectivity inside the crater.

Researchers say the measurements showed this crater's floor is much brighter than the floor of other nearby craters, suggesting there may be ice in it.

Scientists estimate there could be as much as 100 gallons of ice inside the two-mile deep crater.

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