AI Generated Image
NASA spacecraft discovers a huge new crater on the moon
Phys.org • • general
Key Points:
- Scientists discovered a large crater on the moon, about 728 feet wide and 141 feet deep, formed by a powerful impact two years ago that initially went undetected, marking the biggest recent impact crater in the solar system.
- The crater, named after Thomas McGetchin, was identified by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) in May 2024 but only confirmed in early 2026 after detailed image analysis.
- This rare event, estimated to occur once every 132 years, churned the lunar surface over a 66-mile area and created a 4-mile-wide cold spot indicating loosened soil, offering new insights into lunar surface dynamics.
- Findings suggest the moon's topsoil is overturned every 80,000 years, meaning Apollo astronauts' footprints will not last indefinitely, and the research will aid NASA in designing protective measures for future lunar bases against impact debris.
