WATCH: Astronomer catches METEORITE smashing into the moon

A Japanese astronomer has caught a meteorite crashing into the moon using cameras to monitor this; the crater could be around 12 meters.

By: Michelle Swart

Using cameras to monitor the moon, Daichi Fujii, the curator of the Hiratsuka City Museum, captured the distinct flash caused by a meteorite impact on the moon’s nightside, space.com reports.

ALSO READ: Watch: RARE green comet to be visible in SA

Meteorite crashes into the moon

The event occurred at precisely 20:14:30.8 Japan Standard Time (7:14 a.m. EST, or 1114 GMT) on February 23.

According to Fujii, the meteorite seems to have hit an area near Ideler L crater, which is located slightly northwest of Pitiscus crater.

ALSO READ: RARE green comet visible in South Africa 

Newly created crater could be around a dozen meters

Meteors have a velocity of approximately 30,000 mph (48,280 kph), equivalent to 8.3 miles per second (13.4 km/s) on average.

When they hit a surface, they generate extreme heat and produce craters, accompanied by a bright flash of visible light.

ALSO READ: SEE: HUGE whale washes up on Cape Town beach

If they take place in areas that face Earth during lunar nighttime and are large enough, moon impacts can be visible from Earth.

The resulting crater could be roughly 12 meters in diameter, and NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter or India’s Chandrayaan 2 lunar probe might eventually capture images of it, according to Fujii.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY MICHELLE SWART