{
  "id": 9262888,
  "title": "APOD: 2026 September 23 – A New Lunar Crater: McGetchin",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/apod-2026-september-23-a-new-lunar-crater-mcgetchin",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-23T04:05:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "NASA Science",
    "slug": "nasa-science",
    "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-2026-september-23-the-mcgetchin-crater/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 23, 2026, a remarkable event took place on the Moon: a new lunar crater named after Apollo-era lunar scientist McGetchin emerged. The cause of this crater was a comet or asteroid approximately 10-20 meters (30-60 feet) in size, which collided with the lunar surface between April and May 2024. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which regularly monitors the Moon, documented the impact through images taken before and after the event.\n\nThis particular crater spans the length of two soccer fields, an extraordinary occurrence that scientists estimate happens once every 132 years. Thermal imaging conducted following the impact revealed a substantial cold spot surrounding the warm crater, indicating the significant influence of surface impacts on the lunar landscape. The impacts cause loose lunar sediment, or regolith, to expand and become less dense, reducing its ability to retain heat.\n\nThe consequences of this lunar event extend beyond the visible crater, affecting a wider area than initially apparent. This newfound knowledge will contribute to humanity's understanding of surface impacts and the evolution of the Moon's surface. The incident also serves as a reminder to appreciate Earth's protective atmosphere.",
  "summary": "The post APOD: 2026 September 23 – A New Lunar Crater: McGetchin appeared first on NASA Science .",
  "key_points": [
    "New lunar crater named McGetchin discovered on September 23, 2026.",
    "Comet or asteroid 10-20 meters in size collided with Moon between April and May 2024.",
    "Thermal imaging shows cold spot around crater, indicating impact's thermal influence."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The emergence of the McGetchin crater reveals that surface impacts have a lasting influence on the lunar landscape, expanding and cooling surrounding regolith, and sheds light on the Moon's surface evolution.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NASA",
        "title": "APOD: 2026 September 23 – A New Lunar Crater: McGetchin",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/apod-2026-september-23-a-new-lunar-crater-mcgetchin-9269538",
        "published": "2026-09-23T04:05:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}