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

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⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
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  • ✓ 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.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 15 independent reporting domains (100% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

The crater's discovery was made possible by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which has been monitoring the Moon's surface for years, and recent analysis of lunar mapping data revealed the unusually bright patch surrounded by a dark halo, indicating recent disturbance of the lunar surface.

Live updates

  1. 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
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