Largest New Moon Crater Discovered, Formed by Recent Impact
Summary
Researchers have identified the largest new crater ever found in the solar system on the Moon, formed by a recent impact between April and May 2024. The 222-meter-wide crater, named McGetchin crater, was detected using NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and highlights the ongoing risk of meteor impacts on the Moon.
Key Points
- Scientists say the Moon’s newest large crater, McGetchin crater, was formed by a comet or asteroid impact between April 11 and May 22, 2024.
- The crater measures 222 meters wide and 43 meters deep, making it the largest new crater yet found in the solar system.
- NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter helped detect and confirm the impact using before-and-after imagery and thermal data.
- Researchers say the finding is important for future lunar missions and long-term human settlements because it shows the Moon remains vulnerable to impacts.
