NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) detects a newly formed lunar impact crater, dubbed “McGetchin,” during routine review of imaging data. Several outlets describe it as a rare event, with researchers saying such a large, fresh crater is expected to occur only once in about a century or even longer.
Reports say McGetchin is roughly 222 metres (about 730–728 feet) wide and around 43 metres deep, making it one of the largest newly identified craters in the LRO’s records. NASA-linked coverage explains the crater likely forms from a comet or asteroid strike in spring 2024, first recorded by LRO observations in 2025. The impacting object is estimated to be roughly building-sized, on the order of three to six storeys.
Some articles focus on the detection process and why the finding is notable for lunar science. One outlet also notes LRO temperature measurements show a colder area around the crater, suggesting the impact disturbs the Moon’s surface layer of loose material (regolith), which can affect how heat is retained.
