NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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.
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2009 Impact Candidates (last updated 08/07/2009)

#	UT Date	UT Time	Video Frames (1/30 s)	Probable Type	Telescopes
162	01 Feb 09	01:40:31	1	Sporadic	20", two 14"
163	01 Feb 09	02:04:52	2	Sporadic	20", two 14"
169	01 Feb 09	02:45:43	1	Sporadic	20", two 14"
164	03 Mar 09	02:51:43	1	Sporadic	20", two 14"
165	03 Mar 09	04:02:49	2	Sporadic	20", two 14"
166	03 Mar 09	04:27:49	2	Sporadic	20", two 14"
167	30 Mar 09	01:43:11	1	Sporadic	20", two 14"
168	02 Apr 09	02:59:16	16	Sporadic?	two 14"
170	28 Apr 09	01:45:26	3	Sporadic	8"*, two 14"
171	19 May 09	08:58:32	1	Sporadic	20", two 14"
172	21 May 09	09:47:54	2	Sporadic	20", two 14"
173	30 May 09	03:52:11	2	Sporadic	20", two 14"
174	19 Jun 09	09:00:07	2	Sporadic	20", two 14"
175	26 Jun 09	02:04:07	1	Sporadic?	two 14"

(Flash magnitudes typically range between 7 and 10.)

* Confirmation! Mr. George Varros of Maryland captured MEO Impact Flash #170 on his 8" Celestron.

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> 2005-06 Impact Candidates
> 2007 Impact Candidates
> 2008 Impact Candidates
> Detailed info about all MEO Impact Candidates (PDF, <600 KB)
> Unconfirmed Impact Candidates provided to the MEO by independent observers



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