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Scientists using NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter discovered a massive new crater on the moon in May 2024, which is larger than the Roman Colosseum and estimated to occur only once every 132 years. The crater, named after Thomas McGetchin, measures about 728 feet across and up to 141 feet deep, making it three times bigger than a similar discovery from a decade ago. The impact also ejected dust and rocky soil over an area of more than 66 miles, challenging previous assumptions about how quickly the moon’s surface changes.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) discovered a massive crater on the moon’s near side in May 2024, which is larger than the Roman Colosseum. The crater, measuring about 728 feet across and up to 141 feet deep, was caused by an asteroid or comet fragment hitting the surface. This impact likely occurred between April 11 and May 22, 2024, though it wasn't immediately detected by Earth-based telescopes or space instruments. Such a large-scale event is estimated to happen only once every 132 years, making this discovery particularly significant for understanding lunar impacts and preparing future missions. The crater's size makes it the largest known recent impact in the solar system.
Written for “Moon Crater Discovery” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
Scientists have discovered a crater on the moon that’s bigger than the Roman Colosseum and is the result of a powerful impact two years ago that initially went undetected.
asserted
that → discover → impact
The steep-sided hole — about 728 feet across and up to 141 feet deep — is the solar system’s biggest known impact crater carved out in recent times.
asserted
hole → know → times
Such a large-scale event is estimated to occur only once every 132 years, researchers said, making this a treasure trove of information as NASA prepares to build a base for astronauts on the moon.
asserted
NASA → estimate → moon
“This event constitutes a statistically rare, effectively once-in-a-lifetime observation,” the scientists wrote in one of two studies appearing on the subject Wednesday in the journal Science Advances.
asserted
scientists → constitute → journal
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spotted the crater on the moon’s near side in May 2024 soon after it was formed by an incoming fragment of an asteroid or comet.
uncertain
it → spot → asteroid
The moon strike escaped real-time detection by telescopes on Earth and in space.
asserted
strike → escape → space
LRO’s wide-angle images were not identified in the crush of data until August 2025.
asserted
images → identify → August
The spacecraft gathered more detailed pictures last fall, followed by confirmation of the discovery early this year.
asserted
spacecraft → gather → discovery
The crater — named for the late Thomas McGetchin, a former director of Houston’s Lunar and Planetary Institute — is three times bigger than the previous record-holder found by the LRO a decade ago.
asserted
crater → name → LRO
Pockmarked since ancient times, the moon bears some of the solar system’s largest impact craters, including one that stretches more than 1,500 miles across.
asserted
that → bear → one
This latest impact churned the lunar surface for more than 66 miles.
asserted
impact → churn → miles
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asserted
Report → start → news
Dust and rocky soil were hurled away at a higher angle than expected, according to Mark Robinson, chief scientist for the LRO’s cameras who works at Intuitive Machines.
uncertain
who → hurl → Machines
A separate study identified a 4-mile-wide cold spot around the new crater, consistent with a loosening of the moon’s top soil.
asserted
study → identify → soil
Co-author David Paige of the University of California, Los Angeles, likens it to gardening.
“We’re now thinking of impacts as a way to garden the regolith — churning the sediments and putting stuff above that’s usually below the surface,” Paige said in a statement.
asserted
Paige → liken → statement
The LRO’s numerous crater discoveries since its launch in 2009 show that the moon’s top inch of soil is being overturned by ejected material every 80,000 years, faster than previously thought, according to Robinson.
uncertain
inch → show → Robinson
Contrary to the popular belief that the Apollo moonwalkers’ dusty lunar footprints will last forever, they will “definitely be long gone in that time frame,” Robinson said in an email.
asserted
Robinson → last → email
The next step is to calculate the risk of ejected crater material striking NASA’s planned moon base, he added.
asserted
he → calculate → base
“That information will help engineers harden structures so one won’t have to worry about damage, or maybe worry less.”
asserted
one → help → damage
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