Science
NASA orbiter detects new 728-foot-wide crater on lunar surface
NASA News reports that the newly formed impact site is the largest recorded in the solar system.
The short version
- Researchers identified a 728-foot-wide, 141-foot-deep crater named McGetchin on the Moon's eastern limb.[NASA News]
- The impact occurred between April and May 2024 from a collision with an object the size of a three- to six-story building.[NASA News]
- Observations revealed a 4-mile-wide cold spot surrounding the crater due to loosened lunar soil.[NASA News]
Key facts
- The newly discovered crater, named McGetchin, measures 728 feet wide and 141 feet deep.[NASA News]
- The impact took place on the eastern edge of the Moon between April 11 and May 22, 2024.[NASA News]
- Thermal observations showed a surrounding four-mile region that is 16 degrees Fahrenheit cooler at night than nearby areas.[NASA News]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the impacting body was an asteroid or a comet remains unspecified.[NASA News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
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