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Discovery of McGetchin lunar crater

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2026-09-24 02:54 UTC → 2026-10-10 21:54 UTC · added ~~removed~~

NASA scientists have identified a massive new lunar crater, named the McGetchin crater, which was formed by an asteroid or comet fragment impact between April 11 and May 22, 2024. The impactor, described as being roughly the size of a “three-to-six-story building,” created a feature measuring approximately 222 meters wide and 43 meters deep. The event went undetected by Earth-based and space telescopes in real time. It was discovered by researcher Robert Wagner through the analysis of data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). Recent reports indicate that because no monitoring systems recorded the event as it happened, the crater remained undetected for over two years, raising questions regarding the surveillance of near-Earth space. Research indicates that such significant impacts are rare, occurring approximately once every 132 years. The collision displaced dust and rock over a wide area and created a 6.4-kilometer-wide cold spot due to the loosening of the lunar regolith. These findings are considered highly valuable for NASA as it prepares for future crewed lunar missions and the establishment of an astronaut base. Named in honor of the late Thomas McGetchin, this feature is the largest newly formed crater identified by the LRO since the mission began in 2009, significantly surpassing the previous record of a 70-meter crater found in 2012. The impact has provided critical geological data, including observations of lunar regolith decomposition and the creation of a 4-mile-wide area that is approximately 16 degrees Fahrenheit cooler at night. Experts note that studying the ejecta and surface disturbances is crucial for planning sustainable infrastructure and habitats for future lunar astronaut missions.

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