Lunar orbiter spots ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ new crater on the moon

Live updates

1. 24d ago

   NASA identifies cold soil patch around McGetchin lunar crater

   The McGetchin crater, a 728-foot wide impact site formed in 2024, has created a cold patch by loosening soil for miles. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter identified the site, which resulted from a space rock three to six stories tall hitting the moon between April 11 and May 22, 2024. This impact scattered debris over 62 miles. Scientists suggest similar cold areas likely form around any new lunar crater exceeding 100 feet in width.

   Why it matters

   The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter maps the moon to find resources and safe terrain for human return. Identifying how impacts affect soil temperature helps NASA characterize landing sites for in situ resource utilization.

   What is confirmed

   • The McGetchin crater is 728 feet wide and 141 feet deep.
   • The crater formed between April 11 and May 22, 2024.
   • The impact was caused by a space rock three to six stories tall.
   • The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is designed to map the moon's surface and characterize future landing sites.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Similar cold areas may form around every new crater over 100 feet wide.
   • Large impacts of this size occur roughly once a century or once every 132 years.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of cold patches around other craters over 100 feet wide.
   • Further data on how loosened soil affects potential landing site stability.
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. www.earth.com — NASA discovers a new crater on the moon, and this one wasn’t ...
   2. nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov — NASA - NSSDCA - Spacecraft - Details
   confidence 90%
2. 27d ago

   NASA Orbiter Identifies McGetchin Crater as Largest New Solar System Impact

   NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter discovered the McGetchin crater, the largest newly formed impact site identified in the solar system. The crater is 728 feet wide and 141 feet deep, having formed between April 11 and May 22, 2024. The impact was caused by a space rock three to six stories tall and scattered debris more than 62 miles away. Experts describe the event as statistically rare, estimating such large impacts occur roughly once a century or once every 132 years. The discovery was announced on September 16.

   Why it matters

   This impact is the largest identified since observations began in 2009. The event raises concerns for engineers regarding the protection of future lunar bases from meteoroid showers and flying debris.

   What is confirmed

   • The McGetchin crater measures 728 feet wide and 141 feet deep.
   • The impact occurred within a six-week window from April 11, 2024, to May 22, 2024.
   • NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spotted the crater.
   • The impact is the largest newly formed crater found in the solar system.
   • The event is estimated to occur roughly once a century or every 132 years.
   • Debris from the impact disturbed ground more than 62 miles away.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage caused the crater.

   What to watch next

   • Engineering proposals for lunar base shielding against debris
   • Further analysis of the impactor's composition
   Sources used for this update (20)

   1. www.sciencedaily.com — Solar System News -- ScienceDaily
   2. www.nasa.gov — Moon Base - NASA
   3. www.sciencedaily.com — Space & Time News -- ScienceDaily
   4. www.sciencedaily.com — NASA News -- ScienceDaily
   5. www.ctvnews.ca — Meteor shower: Draconids peaking Thursday into Friday
   6. www.lunarclient.com — Frequently Asked Questions | Lunar Client
   7. www.lunarclient.com — News - Lunar Client
   8. github.com — Lunar Client - GitHub
   9. globalpost.com — Lunar Scars - GlobalPost
   10. jatan.space — Chandrayaan 3’s rigorous Moon landing approach reminds us of the testing regime key to future global su....
   11. www.heraldtomorrow.com — Science & Technology - The Herald Tomorrow | Student ...
   12. www.vice.com — A Massive New Moon Crater Is Raising Questions About Future ...
   confidence 95%
3. 39d ago

   NASA identifies McGetchin as largest newly formed lunar crater

   NASA discovered the McGetchin crater, the largest newly formed impact site identified in the solar system. The crater measures 728 feet wide and 141 feet deep. Scientists bracketed the impact window to a six-week period between April 11, 2024, and May 22, 2024. The event resulted from a space rock estimated to be three to six stories tall. Experts describe the occurrence as statistically rare, estimating the odds of such a large impact at roughly once a century or rarer. The discovery was announced on September 16.

   Why it matters

   The find proves the moon remains geologically active through external impacts. Researchers published their findings in the journal Science Advances. This observation provides a rare opportunity to study the immediate aftermath of a large-scale lunar impact.

   What is confirmed

   • The McGetchin crater is 728 feet wide and 141 feet deep.
   • The site is the largest newly formed impact crater ever identified in the solar system.
   • Scientists announced the discovery on September 16.
   • Study authors published the findings in the journal Science Advances.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The impact occurred between April 11, 2024, and May 22, 2024.
   • The impacting space rock was three to six stories tall.
   • Impacts of this size occur roughly once a century or rarer.

   What to watch next

   • Further analysis of the impacting object's composition
   • Additional imagery from lunar orbiters to track crater degradation
   Sources used for this update (3)

   1. bpastro.org — Scientists Spot a New Crater on the Moon – Battle Point ...
   2. morningoverview.com — A 728-foot hole opened on the Moon between April and May of ...
   3. avalw.com — NASA Spots New Moon Crater, Proving Our Neighbor Is Still ...
   confidence 80%
4. 41d ago

   NASA identifies McGetchin as largest new impact crater in solar system

   NASA discovered a new lunar impact crater named McGetchin that measures 728 feet wide and 141 feet deep. Study authors writing in the journal Science Advances described the event as a statistically rare and effectively once-in-a-lifetime observation. Scientists announced the find on September 16. The crater is the largest newly formed impact site ever identified in the solar system and is believed to have formed in 2024.

   Why it matters

   The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite and is tidally locked, meaning it always shows the same side to Earth. Identifying fresh impacts helps researchers understand the frequency and scale of cosmic collisions.

   What is confirmed

   • The McGetchin crater is 728 feet wide.
   • McGetchin is the largest newly formed impact crater in the solar system.
   • Scientists announced the discovery of the crater on September 16.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The McGetchin crater is 141 feet deep.
   • The discovery was detailed in the journal Science Advances.

   What to watch next

   • Publication of full peer-reviewed data regarding the impact velocity.
   • Further imagery from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to determine the impactor's composition.
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. en.wikipedia.org — Moon - Wikipedia
   2. www.ecoportal.net — NASA identified fresh lunar impact crater 141 feet deep with ...
   3. www.ctvnews.ca — Space news: Radio signal detected from planet outside solar system
   4. www.timeforkids.com — TIME for Kids | Lunar Crater Found | G5-6
   5. www.lunarclient.com — Download - Lunar Client
   6. www.lunarclient.com — The #1 Free Minecraft Client | Lunar Client
   7. www-new.lunarclient.com — Lunar Client
   8. store.lunarclient.com — Shop Minecraft Cosmetics & Emotes | Lunar Client Store
   9. www.lunarclient.com — Features | Lunar Client
   10. store.lunarclient.com — Lunar Client Emotes
   11. support.lunarclient.com — Lunar Client Support
   confidence 90%
5. 45d ago

   NASA's Lunar Orbiter Spots Massive New Crater on Moon

   A massive new crater, dubbed McGetchin, has been discovered on the Moon's surface by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The crater is approximately 728 feet (222 meters) wide and is believed to have formed in 2024 after a rare, powerful impact. This is the largest newly formed crater ever found in the solar system.

   Why it matters

   The discovery of the McGetchin crater provides scientists with a unique opportunity to study the Moon's shallow subsurface and the effects of impacts on its surface. The crater's formation in 2024 makes it a rare and significant event, as impacts of this magnitude are infrequent. Understanding the Moon's surface and subsurface is crucial for future lunar missions and potential human settlements.

   What is confirmed

   • The McGetchin crater is approximately 728 feet (222 meters) wide.
   • The crater is believed to have formed in 2024 after a rare, powerful impact.
   • This is the largest newly formed crater ever found in the solar system.
   • NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter discovered the McGetchin crater.

   What to watch next

   • Further analysis of the crater's composition and structure
   • Assessment of the crater's impact on future lunar missions
   • Determination of the asteroid or comet that caused the impact
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. CNN — Lunar orbiter spots ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ new crater on the moon
   2. The New York Times — What a Massive New Crater Means for Future Moon Bases
   3. NASA Science (.gov) — APOD: 2026 September 23 - A New Lunar Crater: McGetchin
   4. Scientific American — Scientists discover largest new impact crater in the solar system ever—on our moon
   5. The Planetary Society — Amoebas and anniversaries
   6. newsroom.ucla.edu — UCLA scientists study rare new lunar crater and its impact on ...
   7. science.nasa.gov — APOD: 2026 September 23 - A New Lunar Crater: McGetchin ...
   8. www.universetoday.com — New Lunar Crater Offers Keys To Moon’s Shallow Subsurface - Universe Today
   9. www.ctvnews.ca — Ottawa weather: A sunny Tuesday as fall arrives
   10. www.ctvnews.ca — Alberta suspending fuel taxes amid high oil prices
   11. www.natureworldnews.com — NASA Lunar Orbiter Finds a 728-Foot Crater That Formed in ...
   12. www.theweather.com — NASA discovers massive new crater on the Moon ... - Meteored
   confidence 100%