A newly discovered crater on the moon, larger than the Roman Colosseum, was revealed by scientists as the aftermath of a powerful impact that occurred two years ago without immediate detection. Measuring 222 meters across and up to 43 meters deep, this steep-sided hole is the most significant known impact crater in recent times within the solar system.
Considered a rare event that happens approximately once every 132 years, researchers highlighted the value of this discovery as NASA moves forward with plans to establish a lunar base for astronauts. The findings were detailed in two separate studies published in the journal Science Advances.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) identified the crater on the moon’s near side in May 2024, originating from an asteroid or comet fragment. Notably, the impact went unnoticed by Earth-based and space telescopes until August 2025, when LRO’s wide-angle images were thoroughly reviewed. Confirmation of the discovery was made earlier this year.
Named in honor of the late Thomas McGetchin, a former director of Houston’s Lunar and Planetary Institute, the crater is compared to gardening due to its impact on the moon’s surface. The event altered over 100 kilometers of the lunar landscape, ejecting dust and rocky soil at unexpected angles.
Additional research highlighted a seven-kilometer-wide cold spot surrounding the crater, indicating a disturbance in the moon’s topsoil. Scientists likened this phenomenon to gardening, suggesting that impacts serve to churn the top layer of regolith, the loose material covering bedrock.
The LRO’s ongoing exploration has revealed that the moon’s top two centimeters of soil are overturned by ejected material every 80,000 years, faster than previously believed. This challenges the idea that the footprints of Apollo moonwalkers will endure indefinitely, as they are expected to vanish within that timeframe.
The focus now shifts to assessing the risk of ejected material from craters impacting NASA’s future moon base. This information will be crucial for engineers to fortify structures and mitigate potential damage risks.