Scientists have made a noteworthy discovery of a crater on the moon, which is larger than the Roman Colosseum and resulted from a significant impact that occurred two years ago without immediate detection. Measuring 222 meters across and up to 43 meters deep, this crater is the largest known impact crater in the solar system carved out in recent history. Such a rare event is estimated to happen only once every 132 years, providing valuable information as NASA plans to establish a lunar base for astronauts.
In a study published in the journal Science Advances, researchers described the event as a statistically uncommon observation. The crater, named after the late Thomas McGetchin, a former director of Houston’s Lunar and Planetary Institute, was spotted on the moon’s near side by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) in May 2024. The crater was formed by a fragment from an asteroid or comet, escaping detection by telescopes on Earth and in space until later analysis.
The impact, resembling gardening on the moon’s surface, churned an area of more than 100 kilometers. Dust and rocky soil were dispersed at a higher angle than anticipated, according to Mark Robinson, the chief scientist for LRO’s cameras at Intuitive Machines. A separate study found a seven-kilometer-wide cold spot surrounding the crater, indicating a loosening of the moon’s topsoil.
The LRO’s continuous discoveries of craters since its launch in 2009 reveal that the moon’s top layer of soil is overturned by ejected material every 80,000 years, faster than previously believed. Robinson noted that the moonwalker footprints from the Apollo missions will not endure forever, contrary to popular belief, and will likely disappear within that timescale.
Future research will focus on assessing the risk of ejected crater material hitting NASA’s upcoming moon base to aid in designing structures resilient to potential damage. This information will be crucial in ensuring the safety and longevity of the planned lunar base.
