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NASA Discovers Largest New Moon Crater
Confirmed
In Short: The impact that created the crater is believed to have occurred in the spring of 2024, likely from a comet or asteroid the size of a three-to-six-story building.
The impact that created the crater is believed to have occurred in the spring of 2024, likely from a comet or asteroid the size of a three-to-six-story building. This event, which scientists estimate happens on the Moon only once every century or longer, provides valuable information about the Moon's geological structure and crater formation process.
The discovery of the McGetchin crater, named after the researcher who discovered it, is significant for future crewed missions to the Moon. Unlike Earth, the Moon lacks an atmosphere, making it more susceptible to such impacts. The crater's formation is part of ongoing studies by the LRO, which has been observing the Moon since 2009.
Both the United States and China are advancing plans for human missions to the Moon, and this new crater will help in better understanding and preparing for these missions. The crater's discovery underscores the dynamic nature of the lunar surface and the importance of continuous monitoring by space agencies.
What's confirmed
- A study published Wednesday, September 16, in the journal Science Advances determined it was the largest new crater ever discovered in the solar system.
What's still developing
- The crater, dubbed "McGetchin," measures 730 feet (222 meters) wide, NASA said in a blog post.
- Although the crater had been there for years, it was not discovered until Robert Wagner, a researcher with NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), noticed it in a new scan of the Moon's surface.
- The crater appeared as a "large bright spot circled by a dark halo" by the LRO probe, which has been studying the Moon since 2009.
- While the Moon has numerous craters, many of which are far bigger than McGetchin, researching a crater's formation in real time can help build understanding of the Moon's geology.
- Unlike Earth, the Moon has virtually no atmospheric layer, so space debris does not slow down or burn up before colliding with the surface.
- Scientists have discovered a crater on the moon that’s bigger than the Roman Colosseum and is the result of a powerful impact two years ago that initially went undetected.
- Such a large-scale event is estimated to occur only once every 132 years, researchers said, making this a treasure trove of information as NASA prepares to build a base for astronauts on the moon.
- NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spotted the crater on the moon’s near side in May 2024 soon after it was formed by an incoming fragment of an asteroid or comet.