SCIENCE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Asteroid Impact Creates 7km Wide Cold Spot on Moon's Surface
WHY IT MATTERS
This discovery will help scientists better understand the moon's surface properties, which is crucial for planning future rover and astronaut missions, as well as building infrastructure on the lunar surface.
What happened
A newly formed crater on the moon, created by an asteroid impact in 2024, has provided scientists with a unique opportunity to study the lunar surface and its geology. The crater, named McGetchin, is the largest to form in real time and is about 222 meters across.
Researchers have observed that the impact has formed a 7km wide cold spot, several degrees colder than the surrounding area during the lunar night. Additionally, the impact has flung dust and rocks over 120 kilometers from the crater.
These findings will aid in understanding the history of the moon and other airless, cratered objects in the solar system, and could also inform future exploration.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Asteroid hit the moon and flung rocks 120 kilometres from the crater
New Scientist · Leah Crane · Discovery and factual synthesis only; publisher copyright and subscription terms apply