SpaceX rocket stage believed to have slammed into the moon

A four-ton piece of a SpaceX rocket is believed to have crashed into the moon, creating a crater, though it posed no threat to Earth. The Falcon 9 upper stage was expected to hit the lunar surface near Einstein Crater at around 5,400 miles per hour. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and South Korea's Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter were set to photograph the impact site, though images may take days to arrive.

Observers on Earth, including amateur astronomers, hoped to see the resulting plume of debris. Scientists are excited about the opportunity to study lunar impact plumes and potential hazards from space debris collisions. The incident does not endanger Earth, and NASA will continue tracking the booster for research purposes.