Moon rocked by biggest meteorite explosion

[Judi Lynn]

Monday, 27 May 2013
Moon rocked by biggest meteorite explosion

US: A meteorite has slammed into the surface of the Moon, creating a flash of light so bright it could be seen without a telescope.

Scientists say the space rock was travelling at around 56,000mph when it crashed into the Moon’s Mare Imbrium region.

It is believed to have measured no more than 40cm across but experts say the force of the impact - equivalent to setting off four tons (4,500kg) of TNT - would have made a crater up to 20m wide.

The explosion is the biggest ever recorded by Nasa’s Meteoroid Environment Office (MEO) and triggered a flash of light 10 times brighter than any previous lunar impact.

More:
http://www.dailynews.lk/2013/05/27/wld05.asp

[longship]

1. See the crater on Phil Plait's Blog today.

Moon Hit by Small Asteroid in March 2013

Get yer science right here, from a scientist. Phil Plait is cool. He is also the Bad Astronomer.

R&K