Researchers have discovered a massive new crater on the Moon measuring approximately 222 meters wide and 43 meters deep, formed by an asteroid or comet impact in the spring of 2024. NASA identified the feature, named “McGetchin,” by comparing lunar surface images taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter before and after the collision.
Discovery of the McGetchin Crater by NASA Researcher
Researcher Robert Wagner spotted the geological anomaly while reviewing images captured by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Wagner noticed an unusual bright patch featuring a dark border on the lunar surface. By comparing these recent frames with older archival photography, scientists confirmed the terrain had altered drastically between April 11 and May 22, 2024.
The bright area surrounding the impact site consists of ejecta—material blasted outward during the collision. A crater of this magnitude forms on the Moon only once every 132 years on average. Scientists estimate the incoming cosmic body stood roughly three to six stories tall.
Did you know? The crater is named “McGetchin” to honor Tom McGetchin, an Apollo program geologist.
Anomalous Nighttime Cold Zones Around the Impact Site
Further analysis using additional NASA instruments revealed an unexpected thermal anomaly surrounding the new impact site. Across a radius of roughly 6.4 to 7 kilometers from the center, the lunar surface grows about 8 to 9 degrees Celsius colder at night than the surrounding terrain.
Researchers explain that the impact churned up surface dust and rocks, loosening the top layer of regolith. This newly aerated soil retains heat much worse than denser, undisturbed lunar ground, creating a distinct cold zone that proves major impacts reshape a much wider region than the crater rim itself.
Implications for Future Lunar Exploration
Understanding how impacts alter surface properties and thermal behavior provides critical data for upcoming crewed missions and robotic operations. As space agencies plan long-term infrastructure and lunar bases, mapping these fragile, churned-up regolith zones helps engineers anticipate surface conditions and vehicle handling challenges.
Pro Tip: Keep track of open-source lunar datasets provided by space agencies and institutions like IBM, which collaborate on machine learning models to analyze surface changes automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the McGetchin crater?
The McGetchin crater measures roughly 222 meters in diameter and 43 meters in depth.
When did the impact happen?
NASA researchers determined the collision occurred between April 11 and May 22, 2024, based on before-and-after orbiter imagery.
Why is the area around the crater colder at night?
The impact pulverized and loosened the top layer of lunar dust and rock, making the regolith less dense and less capable of retaining nighttime heat.
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