Current Theories of Lunar Ice

TL;DR

This paper reviews classical and modern theories of lunar ice, comparing them with observational data, and finds the standard model aligns well with most constraints, highlighting areas needing further investigation.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive comparison of existing lunar ice theories with observational constraints, emphasizing the validity of the standard model.

Findings

The standard model aligns with major observational constraints.

Few unaccounted observational claims remain.

Theories are compared focusing on fundamental concepts.

Abstract

The classical theory of cold-trapped ice on the Moon and some modern theories are reviewed and compared with observational constraints. The "standard model" for lunar ice posits that ice has accumulated in polar cold traps after the spin axis orientation became small enough for polar craters to be permanently shadowed. Its predictions are consistent with major observational constraints. Only a few less established observational claims are unaccounted for. The text focuses on fundamental theoretical concepts and assumes some pre-existing familiarity with the topic of lunar polar volatiles.