A Major New Impact Site Found on the Moon
On September 17, 2023, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) identified a colossal crater on the Moon’s near side measuring approximately 222 meters across and plunging 43 meters deep. This impressive formation resulted from an asteroid impact roughly two years earlier and is three times larger than the previous largest crater recorded by LRO a decade ago. Remarkably, this crater went undetected by both ground-based and orbital telescopes at the time of impact.
The discovery emerged through analysis of wide-angle images captured by LRO, which were revisited within a data archive in August 2025. Confirmation of the crater’s existence followed in early 2026. It has been named in honor of Thomas McGetchin, the former director of the Houston Institute for Lunar and Planetary Studies. Findings related to this discovery have been published in the journal Science Advances.
Scientific Insights and Implications
Surrounding the newly found crater is a cold spot approximately 7 kilometers wide, characterized by a loose, disturbed layer of lunar soil. Such large-scale impact events are estimated to occur once every 132 years. Researcher Dredie Page explained:
"These meteorite strikes effectively churn the regolith, mixing sedimentary materials." - Dredie Page
NASA’s next priority involves assessing the risks posed by ejecta fallout to the site planned for the future lunar base. Uncovering this significant crater marks a crucial advance in lunar exploration, offering essential data to better understand potential hazards for long-term human habitation on the Moon.
This discovery highlights the critical need for continuous monitoring of space objects that may threaten Earth and its celestial neighbors. It also opens new opportunities to study lunar geology in greater detail and evaluate risks associated with upcoming lunar missions. Understanding crater formation and characteristics will be vital in safely harnessing the Moon’s resources and establishing a resilient infrastructure for sustained presence on our natural satellite.
In addition to this remarkable discovery, recent NASA imagery has unveiled another crater on the Moon, formed by the impact of a Falcon 9 rocket. This event underscores the ongoing interactions between human activities and lunar geology, further emphasizing the importance of monitoring celestial impacts. To explore the details of this unique crater and its implications, visit NASA's latest findings on lunar impacts.