New, 'once in a century' Moon crater discovered by NASA scan

A NASA researcher has identified a massive crater on the Moon that scientists believe was formed in 2024, describing such an impact as an event that occurs roughly once a century or even less frequently.

Named “McGetchin,” the newly identified crater is about 730 feet (222 metres) across, according to NASA. Researchers believe it was created in the spring of 2024 when an asteroid or comet struck the lunar surface. The impactor is estimated to have been comparable in size to a three- to six-storey building, AFP reported.

The crater was discovered by Robert Wagner, a researcher associated with NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), while examining a new scan of the Moon. The LRO, which has been observing the lunar surface since 2009, captured the feature as a bright area surrounded by a dark halo.

A study published Wednesday in Science Advances concluded that McGetchin is the largest newly formed crater ever identified in the solar system. Although the Moon is covered with countless craters, many considerably larger than McGetchin, observing and analysing a relatively recent impact provides scientists with an opportunity to study how such features form and improve their understanding of lunar geology.

Researchers say the findings could also aid preparations for future human missions to the Moon, with the United States and China both pursuing plans for crewed lunar exploration.

The Moon’s lack of a substantial atmosphere means incoming space rocks do not experience the same atmospheric braking or burning that occurs on Earth. As a result, objects travelling through space can strike the lunar surface at high speeds and leave behind significant impact craters.