Artistic animation of a rocket hitting the moon.
Astronomy scientists discover a missile object heading for the moon’s collision late last year. L’impacte es va produir el 4 de març de 2022, amb[{”attribute=””>LlunarReconnaissanceOrbiter(LRO)delaNASAdesprésdedetectarelcràterresultantSorprenentmentelcràterésenrealitatdoscràtersuncràteroriental(18metresdediàmetreuns195metres)superposatauncràteroccidental(16metresdediàmetreuns175metres)[{”attribute=””>NASA’sLunarReconnaissanceOrbiter(LRO)laterspottingtheresultingcraterSurprisinglythecraterisactuallytwocratersaneasterncrater(18-meterdiameterabout195yards)superimposedonawesterncrater(16-meterdiameterabout175yards)[{”attribute=””>LlunarReconnaissanceOrbiter(LRO)delaNASAdesprésdedetectarelcràterresultantSorprenentmentelcràterésenrealitatdoscràtersuncràteroriental(18metresdediàmetreuns195metres)superposatauncràteroccidental(16metresdediàmetreuns175metres)[{”attribute=””>NASA’sLunarReconnaissanceOrbiter(LRO)laterspottingtheresultingcraterSurprisinglythecraterisactuallytwocratersaneasterncrater(18-meterdiameterabout195yards)superimposedonawesterncrater(16-meterdiameterabout175yards)
This animated GIF confirms the location of the double crater in the body of the newly formed rocket. The image above is the LRO view of February 28, 2022 (M1400727806L). The following image is from May 21, 2022 (M1407760984R). The width of the frame is 367 meters, about 401 yards. Credit: NASA / Goddard / Arizona State University
The double crater was unexpected and may indicate that the rocket’s body had large masses at each end. Typically, a worn rocket has mass concentrated at the end of the engine; the rest of the rocket stage consists mainly of an empty fuel tank. As the origin of the rocket’s body remains uncertain, the dual nature of the crater may indicate its identity.
A rocket hit the Moon on March 4, 2022, near the Hertzsprung crater, creating a double crater about 28 meters wide in the longest dimension. LROC NAC M1407760984R; 3x enlarged image. Credit: NASA / Goddard / Arizona State University
No other impact of the rocket body on the Moon created double craters. The four Apollo SIV-B craters had a slightly irregular outline (Apollo 13, 14, 15, 17) and were substantially larger (over 35 meters, about 38 yards) than each of the double craters. The maximum width (29 meters, about 31.7 yards) of the double crater of the body of the mystery rocket was close to that of the S-IVB.
These four images show craters formed by impacts of the Apollo SIV-B stages: crater diameters range from 35 to 40 meters (38.2 to 43.7 yards) in the longest dimension. Credit: NASA / Goddard / Arizona State University
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is a robotic spacecraft currently orbiting the Moon in an eccentric polar mapping orbit. LRO data is essential for planning NASA’s next human and robotic missions to the Moon.
The crater formed (5,226 degrees north, 234,486 degrees east, 1,863 meters elevation) in a complex area where the impact of the expulsion from the Orientale Basin event exceeds the degraded northeastern edge of the basin. of Hertzsprung (536 kilometers (333 miles) in diameter). The new crater is not visible in this view, but its location is indicated by the white arrow. LROC WAC mosaic, 110 kilometers (68 miles) wide. Credit: NASA / Goddard / Arizona State University
LRO is managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, for the Directorate of Science Mission at NASA’s Washington headquarters. Launched on June 18, 2009, LRO has compiled a treasure trove of data with its seven powerful instruments, which make an invaluable contribution to our knowledge of the Moon.
Full resolution image (100 cm pixels) centered on the new rocket body impact crater. NAC M1407760984R, image width 1,100 meters. Credit: NASA / Goddard / Arizona State University
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