NASA Confirms Largest Recent Lunar Crater, 222 Meters Wide

NASA Confirms Largest Recent Lunar Crater, 222 Meters Wide

Science

NASA announced that its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter had detected a 222-meter-wide fresh crater on the Moon, the largest such crater recorded since systematic monitoring began. Scientists from NASA and the University of California, Los Angeles later identified the feature as the McGetchin crater, determining that it formed between April 11 and May 22, 2024. Measurements show the crater is about 43 meters deep and roughly 728 feet across, an impact frequency estimated at once every 130-132 years.

Actors

NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter David Paige Mark Robinson Thomas McGetchin University of California, Los Angeles

Locations

Moon Los Angeles, California, United States Washington, DC, United States

Articles

September 21, 2026
1 total
Newly Identified Lunar Crater Measures 222 Meters Across
Newly Identified Lunar Crater Measures 222 Meters Across

CNN • 21 Sep 17:17

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter detected a 222-meter wide crater formed by a recent impact, the largest fresh crater recorded on the Moon since systematic monitoring began.

Credibility 78% Manip. 7% Center
September 19, 2026
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New 728-Foot Lunar Crater Identified, Scientists Say Impact Occurs Once Every 132 Years
New 728-Foot Lunar Crater Identified, Scientists Say Impact Occurs Once Every 132 Years

Yahoo • 19 Sep 15:30

Researchers have identified a 728-foot-wide crater on the Moon formed by a rare impact between April and May 2024, offering new data on lunar surface changes and future mission planning.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
September 18, 2026
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NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Identifies New 728-Foot Crater on Moon
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Identifies New 728-Foot Crater on Moon

Engadget • 18 Sep 11:26

NASA scientists have confirmed a fresh impact crater, 728 feet wide, formed on the lunar surface between April and May 2024, an event estimated to occur only once every 130 years.

Credibility 55% Manip. 8% Center
NASA Confirms Fresh 222-Metre Lunar Crater Formed Within Weeks in 2024
NASA Confirms Fresh 222-Metre Lunar Crater Formed Within Weeks in 2024

Space Daily • 18 Sep 00:12

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter data show that the McGetchin crater, 222 m across, formed between April 11 and May 22, 2024, offering a rare, well-timed record of impact processes on the Moon.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
September 17, 2026
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NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Finds Largest Recent Moon Impact Crater
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Finds Largest Recent Moon Impact Crater

Phys.org • 17 Sep 08:12

A 222-meter wide, 43-meter deep crater formed by an asteroid or comet impact two years ago was identified by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, offering new data for future lunar habitats.

Credibility 78% Manip. 7% Center
September 16, 2026
1 total
NASA identifies recent lunar impact crater larger than the Colosseum
NASA identifies recent lunar impact crater larger than the Colosseum

CBS News • 16 Sep 21:45

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter detected a 728-foot-wide crater formed by an asteroid or comet impact in 2022, marking the largest known recent impact on the Moon.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center

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