Largest recently formed crater on the Moon discovered after space impact
A surprising discovery has shaken the scientific community. Researchers have identified the largest recently formed crater recorded to date in the solar system, located on the lunar surface and originated by the impact of an asteroid or comet during the year 2024.
The crater, named McGetchin in memory of lunar scientist Tom McGetchin, presents impressive dimensions: 222 meters in diameter and 43 meters deep, an area equivalent to two soccer fields. According to research, the object responsible for the impact would have been the size of a building between three and six stories tall.
An accidental discovery in space
The discovery occurred fortuitously when Robert Wagner, an image processing specialist, was reviewing data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). Upon observing a bright spot surrounded by a dark halo, he detected an anomaly that did not appear in previous records. After comparing satellite images from different periods, the existence of this new formation was confirmed.
The detailed analysis, carried out with high-resolution cameras, allowed us to determine that the event occurred in a time window between April 11 and May 22, 2024. It is estimated that impacts of this magnitude on the Moon are rare phenomena, occurring only once every century or even less frequently.
Impacts that transform the surface
The repercussions of the impact transcended the direct area of the crater. Thermal measurements revealed that, within a radius of approximately four miles, the surface experiences unusual cooling during the lunar night. This phenomenon is due to the alteration of the regolith, the material that covers the Moon, which became more porous after the collision, affecting its ability to retain heat.
The work of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
- The LRO has accumulated more than 17 years of continuous exploration.
- During its mission, it has allowed for the documentation of more than 1,000 new craters.
- Nearly 100,000 changes on the lunar surface linked to impacts have been recorded.
This discovery is key to NASA’s future space exploration plans. Understanding how impacts modify the terrain is fundamental to ensuring the safety and efficiency of missions that seek to establish a sustained human presence and commercial activities on our natural satellite.
