World · Malaysia Bureau
NASA identifies rare Moon crater formed by massive space impact in 2024
US space agency NASA has discovered a previously unknown crater on the lunar surface, likely created when a building-sized asteroid or comet struck the Moon earlier this year. The McGetchin crater represents a rare celestial event that occurs roughly once per century.
LSN Malaysia ·
The newly identified McGetchin crater spans approximately 222 metres in diameter and is believed to have formed in 2024 following impact from a substantial space object, according to NASA observations. The discovery underscores the ongoing geological activity on Earth's natural satellite and provides scientists with fresh insights into lunar dynamics.
The crater's identification was made possible through NASA's advanced scanning capabilities, which allow researchers to detect and analyse surface changes on the Moon with unprecedented precision. Such major impact events are considered exceptional occurrences, with similar formations estimated to happen roughly once every century.
The McGetchin crater adds to the growing body of data scientists have gathered about lunar impacts and their frequency. Understanding these celestial collisions helps researchers better comprehend the Moon's geological history and informs assessments of impact risks to other celestial bodies, including Earth.
NASA continues to monitor the lunar surface systematically, employing sophisticated imaging technology to identify new features and track changes over time. The discovery of the McGetchin crater demonstrates the value of sustained observation programmes in advancing scientific knowledge of the solar system.