Scientists Discover New Crater on the Moon, Bigger Than the Roman Colosseum, That Was Created in a ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ Impact

Scientists have recently identified a significant new crater on the surface of the Moon, believed to have formed following a rare asteroid or comet impact. This discovery has captured the attention of the scientific community, as the crater, named McGetchin, not only measures an impressive 728 feet in diameter and 141 feet in depth, but it is also thought to have been created in a relatively brief window between April 11 and May 22, 2024.

According to the findings published in the journal Science Advances on September 16, impacts of this magnitude occur on the Moon only approximately once every 132 years. As a result, researchers have described this event as a “statistically rare, effectively once-in-a-lifetime observation.” The primary suspect behind the crater’s creation is a sizeable fragment, estimated to be comparable in size to a three- to six-story building, that struck the lunar surface with significant force.

Interestingly, despite the enormity of this collision, the event went undetected at the time it occurred. Robert Wagner, an image-processing specialist with Intuitive Machines and a collaborator with NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, stumbled upon the crater while analysing lunar images on October 24, 2025. He recalled, “I just stopped, dropped everything and started looking into what that spot was,” highlighting the unexpected nature of the discovery.

Wagner’s investigation involved comparing images taken before and after the impact, which revealed clear signs of a newly formed crater. He noted, “It was by far the most obvious impact debris pattern I’ve ever seen in one of these images,” indicating the unique characteristics of the event that had transpired. The study also underscored how the impact modified an extensive area surrounding the crater, with changes detected over 1,000 times the radius of the crater itself.

In honour of the late Thomas McGetchin, a renowned lunar scientist and volcanologist, the crater has been given the name McGetchin. This tribute reflects not only the significance of the discovery but also the legacy of contributions to lunar science made by McGetchin during his career.

Furthermore, a second study released on the same day in Science Advances investigated how this impact has altered the physical and thermal properties of the lunar surface in the vicinity of McGetchin. The research discovered a roughly four-mile-wide “cold spot” surrounding the crater, revealing that this impacted area is between 14 to 16 degrees Fahrenheit cooler at night compared to surrounding terrain.

Such alterations to the lunar surface may have important implications for future missions to the Moon. As scientists explore the physical and thermal variations introduced by this impact, they may gain insights into the composition of the lunar regolith, or loose surface material. The impact has left this regolith less dense and, consequently, less capable of retaining heat.

NASA has indicated that the findings from this study could be critical for understanding how rover wheels interact with disturbed lunar terrain. As missions are planned for the Moon, comprehending the extent of debris spread from impacts becomes vital for assessing potential hazards to equipment and infrastructure that may be established on the lunar surface in the future.

Overall, the discovery of the McGetchin crater not only adds to the understanding of the Moon’s geological history but also serves as a reminder of the dynamic processes occurring beyond our planet. As research continues, scientists hope that insights gleaned from this crater and its surrounding area will inform how we navigate and study the lunar surface in years to come.