Scientists from NASA have identified the largest impact crater formed in modern history within the solar system. Located on the moon, the newly mapped feature measures 728 feet across and 141 feet deep, resulting from a collision by an object approximately the size of a three- to six-story building. This event occurred sometime between April 11 and May 22, 2024, though the impact itself was not observed in real time.
The discovery was made by NASA scientist Robert Wagner while analyzing images taken by the wide-angle camera aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) in October 2025. By comparing these images with previous surface photographs, Wagner confirmed the presence of a fresh lunar crater. The site has since been officially designated as McGetchin crater, named in honor of the planetary scientist Tom McGetchin.
While the South Pole-Aitken Basin remains the largest crater on the moon at 1,550 miles in diameter, impacts of McGetchin’s magnitude are exceptionally rare, estimated to occur only once every 132 years. High-resolution photographs taken by the LRO’s narrow-angle camera in December 2025 provided detailed views of the impact site.
Early scientific analysis of the area surrounding McGetchin crater has revealed intriguing thermal properties. A team of researchers found that a four-mile-wide region adjacent to the crater is approximately 16 degrees Fahrenheit cooler during nighttime hours. According to their study, the impact disturbed the regolith—the upper layer of lunar soil—making it less dense and reducing its ability to retain heat.
These temperature variations could have practical implications for future lunar exploration. NASA notes that understanding how rover wheels interact with such disturbed, cooler surfaces near new craters is essential for planning subsequent missions and studies of the region.
Seven hundred feet wide is massive. I wonder if the seismic waves from that hit were felt anywhere?
132 years between impacts? I feel so much safer now knowing how rare these are.
Cooler soil from impacts actually matters for rover traction. Good to know for future mission planning.
Wait, an impact this big hasn’t been seen in real time yet? That’s terrifying and fascinating at the same time.