Lunar Impacts

    Mission statement: Use Earth-based observations of the dark portion of the moon to establish the rates and sizes of large meteoroids (greater than 500 grams or 1 pound in mass) striking the lunar surface.

    Why it is important: U.S. Space Exploration Policy eventually calls for extended astronaut stays on the lunar surface. Spacecraft, vehicles, habitats, and EVA suits must all be designed to withstand the stresses posed by the harsh lunar environment over this period of time. Meteoroids, and the ejecta produced when they create impact craters, are part of this environment.
    > Read more

    2008 Impact Candidates (last updated 12/17/2008)

    #

    UT Date

    UT Time

    Video Frames
    (1/30 s)

    Probable
    Type

    Telescopes

    82

    01 Jan 08

    07:43:39

    1

    Sporadic

    three 14"

    83

    02 Jan 08

    08:33:13

    2

    Sporadic

    two 14"

    84

    03 Jan 08

    10:25:38

    1

    Quadrantid

    two 14"

    85

    04 Jan 08

    10:58:26

    2

    Quadrantid

    three 14"

    86

    04 Jan 08

    11:42:39

    12

    Quadrantid

    three 14"

    87

    04 Jan 08

    11:48:36

    2

    Quadrantid

    three 14"

    88

    14 Jan 08

    00:22:26

    1

    Sporadic

    three 14"

    89

    15 Jan 08

    02:19:56

    2

    Sporadic

    three 14"

    90

    15 Jan 08

    02:57:07

    1

    Sporadic

    three 14"

    91

    15 Jan 08

    04:05:08

    1

    Sporadic

    two 14"

    92

    11 Feb 08

    01:09:27

    2

    Sporadic

    20", two 14"

    93

    12 Feb 08

    00:24:44

    3

    Sporadic

    20", two 14"

    94

    14 Feb 08

    03:15:31

    2

    Sporadic

    14” & 20"

    95

    14 Feb 08

    05:15:03

    2

    Sporadic

    14” & 20"

    96

    12 Mar 08

    00:40:42

    13

    Sporadic

    20", two 14"

    97

    12 Mar 08

    01:13:32

    3

    Sporadic

    20", two 14"

    98

    12 Mar 08

    02:03:07

    2

    Sporadic

    20", two 14"

    99

    13 Mar 08

    01:38:49

    1

    Sporadic

    20", two 14"

    100

    13 Mar 08

    02:04:22

    7

    Sporadic

    20", two 14", 8"*

    101

    14 Mar 08

    01:59:34

    1

    Sporadic

    two 14"
    102
    09 Apr 08
    02:16:39
    2
    Sporadic
    14" & 20"
    103
    10 Apr 08
    01:15:25
    2
    Sporadic
    14" & 20"
    104
    09 May 08
    02:57:02
    1
    Sporadic
    20", two 14"
    07 Jun 08
    02:27:25
    5
    Sporadic
    20", two 14"
    113
    07 Jun 08
    03:31:32
    1
    Sporadic
    two 14"
    114
    09 Jun 08
    03:21:01
    3
    Sporadic
    one 14"
    115
    27 Jun 08
    09:31:25
    2
    Sporadic?
    20”, two 14”
    126
    28 Jul 08
    07:22:10
    2
    Shower?
    14" & 20"
    127
    28 Jul 08
    08:35:37
    1
    Shower?
    20", two 14"
    128
    28 Jul 08
    08:47:07
    2
    Shower?
    20", two 14"
    129
    28 Jul 08
    09:05:16
    1
    Shower?
    20", two 14"
    130
    29 Jul 08
    09:43:11
    2
    Shower?
    20", two 14"
    131
    29 Jul 08
    10:11:45
    2
    Shower?
    two 14"
    132
    23 Sep 08
    10:14:33
    1
    Sporadic
    14" & 20"
    133
    24 Sep 08
    08:46:41
    2
    Sporadic
    20", two 14"
    134
    06 Oct 08
    01:35:22
    2
    Sporadic
    20", two 14"
    135
    22 Oct 08
    07:25:10
    2
    Orionid
    14" & 20"
    136
    22 Oct 08
    07:51:31
    2
    Orionid
    14" & 20"
    137
    22 Oct 08
    10:03:14
    1
    Orionid
    two 14"
    138
    22 Oct 08
    10:30:21
    1
    Orionid
    20", two 14"
    139
    02 Nov 08
    23:48:40
    2
    Taurid
    20", two 14"
    140
    03 Nov 08
    00:11:06
    3
    Taurid
    20", two 14"
    141
    03 Nov 08
    00:16:34
    2
    Taurid
    14" & 20"
    142
    03 Nov 08
    00:33:38
    1
    Taurid
    20", two 14"
    143
    03 Nov 08
    23:59:25
    2
    Taurid
    20", two 14"
    144
    04 Nov 08
    00:04:06
    2
    Taurid
    20", two 14"
    145
    04 Nov 08
    01:10:01
    2
    Taurid
    20", two 14"
    146
    04 Nov 08
    01:39:04
    2
    Taurid
    20", two 14"
    147
    04 Nov 08
    23:32:36
    2
    Taurid
    two 14"
    148
    05 Nov 08
    00:38:38
    2
    Taurid
    20", two 14"
    149
    05 Nov 08
    00:53:58
    2
    Taurid
    20", two 14"
    150
    05 Nov 08
    02:05:08
    3
    Taurid
    20", two 14"
    151
    05 Nov 08
    02:09:45
    2
    Taurid
    20", two 14"
    152
    05 Nov 08
    02:32:47
    2
    Taurid
    20", two 14"

    (Flash magnitudes typically range between 7 and 10.)

    * Confirmation! Mr. George Varros captured MEO Flash #100 on his 8” Celestron in Maryland.

    View More:
    > 2005-06 Impact Candidates
    > 2007 Impact Candidates
    > Detailed info about all MSFC Impact Candidates (PDF, 167 KB)
    > Unconfirmed Impact Candidates provided to the MEO by independent observers

    MSFC Lunar Impact 2005-08 Flash Detections

    More About Lunar Impact Monitoring
    > When we observe
    > Who is involved
    > Observing facility
    > Meteor showers
    > Observing lunar impacts
    > Part of a comprehensive strategy

Other Resources

Contact Us

    Members of the media, please contact:
    Steve Roy
    Marshall Space Flight Center
    (256) 544-0034

    General information:
    Rob Suggs
    Meteoroid Environment Office
    Marshall Space Flight Center

    Are you an amateur astronomer?
    Do you have observations of any impacts listed in the table?

    Report observations:
    Danielle Moser
    Meteoroid Environment Office
    Marshall Space Flight Center

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