Witness a meteorite hitting the moon in a new video
An astronomer recently witnessed a remarkable event as he observed a meteorite striking the moon from his telescope in Ireland on December 12, 2025. The scientist, Andrew Marshall-Lee, who is a doctoral student at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium in the United Kingdom, managed to capture the elusive phenomenon with the help of the 17-inch Armagh Robotic Telescope. While it remains uncertain where precisely the space rock impacted the lunar surface, Marshall-Lee speculates that it occurred northeast of the Langrenus crater. The video footage depicting the brief flash of light generated by the collision showcases the dazzling moment as it briefly illuminates the moon’s shadowy landscape. Though still under investigation, experts indicate that the meteorite likely originated from the Geminid meteor shower.
The rarity of witnessing such an event is accentuated by the challenges associated with monitoring meteorite strikes on Earth. The majority of these celestial objects that withstand entry into our planet’s atmosphere usually end up in the ocean, which covers approximately 70% of the globe. Therefore, the monumental feat accomplished by Marshall-Lee, capturing this extraordinary occurrence from a staggering distance of 240,000 miles, cannot be overstated. The absence of an atmospheric shield on the moon means that it is bombarded by significant quantities of meteoroids and space debris. Despite the diminutive size of some of these rocks, they collide with the lunar surface with shocking force and intensity due to the absence of air resistance. Scientists believe that comprehending the frequency and severity of such impacts is crucial for evaluating the potential risks posed to future missions to the moon. Moreover, understanding these phenomena can aid in protecting astronauts and spacecraft from potential hazards that could arise.
The recent lunar impact event is emblematic of the persistent challenges faced by astronomers seeking to unravel the mysteries of celestial mechanics. While Earth is constantly bombarded by meteor material, the moon similarly endures considerable meteor showers without the protective buffer provided by Earth’s atmosphere. The Armagh Observatory estimates that an object no larger than a golf ball traveling at extremely high speeds, hovering around 78,000 mph, may have generated the recent impact on the moon. This high-velocity collision could have potentially left a discernible mark on the lunar surface. According to NASA estimates, a meteoroid weighing just 10 pounds is capable of creating a crater exceeding 30 feet in diameter, ejecting over 165,000 pounds of dust and debris into space. Such incidents underscore the innate dangers posed by celestial objects hurtling through our solar system at remarkable speeds, highlighting the imperative for scientists to deepen their comprehension of these phenomena.