NASA spacecraft discovers moon crater bigger than Roman Colosseum
Scientists using NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) uncovered a 728‑foot wide crater on the Moon’s near side, the largest impact seen in the last 132 years. The crater, formed by an asteroid fragment in 2024, provides fresh data on lunar geology and helps assess risks for future human habita…
On a quiet spring day in 2024, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) captured images that would soon reveal a monumental event on the Moon’s surface. Between April 11 and May 22, the spacecraft detected a fresh crater, 728 feet across—roughly the length of two football fields—and plunging 141 feet deep, a depth comparable to three stacked yellow school buses. The impact, caused by a space rock the size of a three‑ to six‑story building, occurred about two years ago and was not noticed by Earth‑based telescopes or other space observatories in real time.
How the Crater Was Discovered
The LRO, which has orbited the Moon since 2009, continuously collects high‑resolution images of the lunar surface. In August 2025, analysts reviewing the vast data stream finally flagged a new depression that had appeared between the earlier images. The team then conducted a focused imaging campaign in the fall of 2025, gathering detailed photographs that confirmed the crater’s recent formation. The discovery was formally announced in early 2026, with two studies published in the journal Science Advances.
Size and Significance of the Impact
At 728 feet wide, the crater is three times larger than the previous record holder identified by the LRO a decade ago. Its depth of 141 feet makes it the deepest known recent impact on the Moon. Scientists estimate that such a large event occurs roughly once every 132 years in the solar system, underscoring the rarity of the find. The impact also churned the lunar regolith for more than 66 miles, ejecting dust and rocky material at higher angles than models had predicted.
Implications for Lunar Exploration
NASA is preparing to establish a human outpost on the Moon’s near side. The new crater offers a natural laboratory for studying how impact events reshape the regolith—the layer of loose soil and broken rock that covers the Moon’s surface. Mark Robinson, chief scientist for the LRO’s cameras at Intuitive Machines, noted that the event provides a “once‑in‑a‑lifetime” observation that can refine models of surface evolution. Understanding the distribution of ejected material is crucial for designing habitats that can withstand potential debris strikes.
In a separate study, researchers identified a 4‑mile‑wide cold spot surrounding the crater, indicating a loosening of the topsoil. David Paige of UCLA compared the process to gardening, suggesting that impacts can stir up buried materials and bring them to the surface. Such insights help engineers plan for the mechanical properties of the regolith, which may affect anchoring systems and dust mitigation strategies for future missions.
Future Research and Next Steps
NASA’s next priority is to quantify the risk posed by the ejected debris to planned lunar habitats. By modeling the trajectories of the material thrown into space, engineers can design protective shielding and select safer landing sites. The LRO’s continuous surveillance will also monitor how the crater evolves over time, offering a long‑term view of lunar surface dynamics.
While the Apollo astronauts left footprints that will eventually vanish within decades, the new crater reminds us that the Moon is not a static landscape. The discovery fuels excitement about the Moon’s ongoing geological activity and its implications for human exploration.
Key Takeaways
- NASA’s LRO identified a 728‑foot wide, 141‑foot deep crater on the Moon’s near side.
- The impact occurred in 2024, making it the largest recent lunar crater.
- Such large impacts happen roughly once every 132 years in the solar system.
- The event provides valuable data for designing future lunar habitats.
- Researchers are studying the crater’s ejecta to assess risks to planned bases.
FAQ
- What caused the crater? A fragment of an asteroid or comet the size of a multi‑story building struck the Moon.
- How was it discovered? By analyzing high‑resolution images from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter between April and May 2024.
- Why is it important? It offers a rare glimpse into recent lunar geology and helps plan for safe human presence on the Moon.
Why it matters
The crater’s size and recent formation provide a unique window into lunar surface processes, informing the design and safety of future human habitats on the Moon.
Key points
- NASA’s LRO spotted a 728‑foot wide crater formed in 2024
- Largest recent lunar impact, occurring roughly once every 132 years
- Crater’s depth of 141 feet offers new data on regolith dynamics
- Findings aid in assessing debris risks for future lunar bases
- Studies highlight the Moon’s active geological environment
Frequently asked questions
What caused the crater?
A fragment of an asteroid or comet the size of a multi‑story building struck the Moon.
How was it discovered?
By analyzing high‑resolution images from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter between April and May 2024.
Why is it important?
It offers a rare glimpse into recent lunar geology and helps plan for safe human presence on the Moon.
