Posted by Brian Myers | Published
In a speech to other scientists, a speaker at a recent meeting in The Woodlands, TX suggested that previously ignored collisions on the lunar surface could portend serious dangers to life on the moon. The large crater, which is less than two years old, has an impact zone with debris spread far and wide, leading some to believe that Earth’s only satellite habitat is more dangerous than previously thought. At the very least, this discovery helps to further outline the risk management required for short- and long-term stays in orbit.
The new crater measures more than 200 meters in diameter, exceeding the length of two football fields. It was discovered in March 2026, but is believed to have been created about two years ago. The images of the crater were captured by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter camera in April or May 2024.
Mapping the Location of Future Missions
In a report given at the Lunar and Planetary Sciences Conference on March 17, 2026, planetary scientist Mark Robinson gave a detailed description of the crater to his peers. In addition to the crater diameter of 225 meters, the long hole has an average depth of 43 meters. However, what is perhaps most interesting are the findings concerning the objects seen on the edges and in the surrounding areas of the crater.
On almost every crater mountain there are clear drops. For Robinson, this means that the object that impacted the surface of the moon and created the crater hit the surface that was volcanic rock. The lava, long ago solidified, was trapped when it was struck from above and a crater was formed. But the long shape of the crater suggests that, according to Robinson, a mixture of lunar material exists beneath the soil. If the impact area was all rock, then the crater would be circular.
With thousands of images to examine, it’s easy to understand why this new crater was initially missed by researchers. Launched in 2009, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter serves as the longest-lasting active object in lunar orbit. According to NASA, it has “successfully mapped the surface of the Moon and measured its temperature, composition and radiation environment in unprecedented detail.” These complex tasks combine to make choosing safe landing sites for future astronauts efficient. The data also provides better calculations of where sunlight is best captured, helping to make better use of any equipment that will be picked up during upcoming missions.
Steps to Consider
NASA also reports that a crater of this size only occurs every 139 years or so. The impact area of this particular crater is wide, too. The impact produced a ring of ejecta (impact debris) hundreds of meters from the center of the impact. Even more surprising is the universality of the disorder. Robinson and other scientists have seen impacts and other events up to 120 kilometers from the crater itself.
With an exosphere composed of argon, helium, and neon, the vacuum around the moon’s surface does not create an environment that will burn small asteroids the way Earth’s atmosphere does. This means that objects of the same size entering the orbit of both planetary bodies will have a greater impact on the surface of the moon than on Earth.
These are not new revelations, as scientists have known about the impact of asteroids and other debris on the surface of the moon for decades. What it does mean, however, is that extra precautions must be taken when building permanent structures on the lunar surface. A 2005 study showed only a 1% chance of a damaging impact from an asteroid or meteoroid, although the same paper revealed that this chance increased by one percent for each building that was built.
The study also reports that impacts occur on the lunar surface every day. Although the probability of an impact on a future structure is “extremely small,” impacts without any warning pose a catastrophic risk to people or property inside such a structure. The study concludes by reiterating the importance of considering the shape, size, and material base of any potential lunar structure, especially if it is intended for human habitation.
NASA has planned for astronauts on the upcoming Artemis mission to land on the Gateway Space Station, which will orbit the moon. But with planned planning that will include systems to stay above, Robinson and other scientists seem to agree that more precautions should be taken to reduce or eliminate potential structural damage from falling objects.
