Key Facts

• The Falcon 9 rocket part struck the Moon at about 5,400 mph (8,700 km/h).
• The impact site is near the Einstein crater, a large lunar landmark.
• The rocket stage was left in orbit after launching two lunar landers in January last year.
• Over 18 months, gravitational pulls and sunlight nudged the rocket part toward the Moon.
• The crash happened in daylight and was too quick and faint to see with most telescopes.
• Scientists expect dust plumes from the impact could have been visible for minutes.
• South Korea’s Danuri orbiter passed near the site shortly before the crash but did not catch live footage.
• NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will photograph the crater soon to compare before-and-after images.
• Knowing the rocket’s size, speed, and impact location makes this a valuable natural experiment for studying lunar geology and impact effects.