APOD: 2026 September 23 – A New Lunar Crater: McGetchin

On September 23, 2026, astronomers were astonished to discover a brand new lunar crater on the Moon. This celestial event occurred when a comet or asteroid, roughly the size of a humpback whale (10-20 meters, or 30-60 feet), struck the lunar surface between April and May of 2024. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which routinely monitors the Moon, captured images of the lunar landscape both before and after the impact.

The newly formed crater, named after Apollo-era lunar scientist McGetchin, spans across an area equivalent to two soccer fields. Craters of this size are expected to occur only once every 132 years on the Moon. Thermal imaging conducted following the impact revealed a substantial cold spot surrounding the warm crater. This discrepancy in temperature is likely due to the impact's effect on the lunar regolith, or loose surface sediment.

When subjected to an impact, the regolith becomes less dense and less capable of retaining heat, thus creating the observed cold spot.

The impact not only created the visible crater but also affected a much larger area than initially seen. This expansive alteration of the Moon's surface will contribute significantly to our understanding of how surface impacts shape the lunar landscape and its overall evolution. Furthermore, this event serves as a poignant reminder of the protective role Earth's atmosphere plays in shielding our planet from such celestial bombardments.