What Caused the Bright Flash on the Moon on March 17, 2013?

In summary, a meteorite crashed into the moon on March 17th, creating a new crater 65 feet wide. The crash sparked a bright flash of light that would have been visible to anyone looking at the moon at the time with the naked eye, and NASA scientists say that the object was about the size of a small boulder.
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A meteorite crashed into the moon on March 17,
slamming into the lunar surface at [an estimated] 56,000 mph (90,000 kph) and creating a new crater 65 feet wide (20 meters). The crash sparked a bright flash of light that would have been visible to anyone looking at the moon at the time with the naked eye, NASA scientists say.

". . . , an object about the size of a small boulder hit the lunar surface in Mare Imbrium," Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office said in a statement. "It exploded in a flash nearly 10 times as bright as anything we've ever seen before."
http://news.yahoo.com/huge-rock-crashes-moon-sparks-giant-explosion-152049489.html

Apparently, NASA astronomers have been monitoring the moon for lunar meteor impacts for the past eight years.
 
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What is mind boggling are how many impacts they've recorded, (pic below is 2005 - 2008 only)between perseides and all of the other junk out there:

http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2008/09/02/02sep_lunarperseids_resources/impactmap_big.jpg
I still have to dissappoint the Mayan Calender doomsday folks though by telling them as far as the view from Earth is concerned, it's business as usual. We've been hanging out in the denser part of the spiral arm for millions of years. :biggrin:
 
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Why does it look like there are more craters at the poles? Or is it just because of better shadows from the grazing sunlight?
 
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berkeman said:
Why does it look like there are more craters at the poles? Or is it just because of better shadows from the grazing sunlight?
It's partly because of better shadows, but also partly because there are fewer craters in the lunar maria. The lunar highlands are about the same age as the Moon itself. The lunar maria are a billion or so years younger. There were far more meteor collisions during the Moon's first billion years compared to the 3.5 billion years that followed. Whatever caused the maria to form erased the evidence of that first billion years of continued bombardment.
 
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Very interesting. Thanks DH!
 

1. How often do meteor impacts occur on the Moon?

Meteor impacts occur on the Moon at a much higher frequency than on Earth due to its lack of atmosphere to protect it from incoming objects. On average, there are about 200 new craters created on the Moon each year.

2. How big are the craters created by meteor impacts on the Moon?

The size of the craters on the Moon varies greatly, with the largest being over 900 kilometers in diameter. However, most craters are between 1-10 kilometers in diameter.

3. Do meteor impacts on the Moon affect Earth?

While the Moon is constantly bombarded by meteor impacts, the chances of these impacts affecting Earth are extremely low. The Moon's gravity and lack of atmosphere prevent most debris from reaching Earth.

4. How do scientists study meteor impacts on the Moon?

Scientists study meteor impacts on the Moon by using telescopes and spacecraft to observe and capture images of the Moon's surface. They also analyze lunar rock samples brought back by astronauts and use computer simulations to understand the effects of meteor impacts.

5. Have any significant discoveries been made from studying meteor impacts on the Moon?

Yes, the study of meteor impacts on the Moon has provided valuable information about the history and formation of our solar system. Scientists have also found evidence of water and other resources in the debris created by meteor impacts, which could be useful for future lunar exploration and colonization.

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