Nasa scan discovers new, ‘once in a century’ Moon crater

NASA scientists have discovered a newly formed crater on the Moon, measuring 730 feet wide, which they describe as a once-in-a-century event. The crater, named McGetchin, was likely created in spring 2024 by a collision of a comet or asteroid with the lunar surface. The impactor was estimated to be the size of a three to six-story building.

Although the crater had been present for years, it was not detected until NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) picked up the bright, haloed spot in a recent scan of the Moon's surface. This discovery marks the largest new crater ever found in the solar system, as reported in a study published in Science Advances. Understanding the formation of such craters can improve our knowledge of the Moon's geology and better prepare future crewed missions, which are currently planned by the United States and China.

The Moon's lack of atmosphere means that space debris does not slow down or burn up before striking the surface, leading to the creation of these rare and significant craters.