This image was taken by SMART-1 from its polar orbit, at an altitude of 3000 kilometres over the surface and with a ground resolution of 300 metres per pixel.

Plaskett crater sits at 82.1° North and 174° East, with its centre just 240 kilometres away from the lunar north pole. The crater, 109 kilometres across, is named after the Canadian astronomer John Stanley Plaskett (1865–1941).

Credits: ESA/Space-X (Space Exploration Institute)

The shadow lengths can be used to calculate the height of surface features. Data like this can be turned into virtual simulations of the surface to help engineers design suitable landers. From its rim, the full Earth would graze just above the horizon for only a few days per month. However some areas within the crater never see the Earth.

Rozhdestvenskiy is a large lunar crater of 177 kilometres diameter centered at 85.2° North and 155.4° West (just above Plaskett). Its northern rim is just 60 kilometres from the north pole.

Credits: ESA/Space-X (Space Exploration Institute)

The above is a view from Clementine of the full Earth over the lunar north pole. The crater with a central peak in the foreground is Plaskett. It is centred at 82.1° North and 174° East, and it is 109 kilometres in diameter. On Earth, Africa is clearly visible and nearly cloud free.

Credits: U.S. Geological Survey