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

    2010 Impact Candidates (last updated 01/06/2011)

    #

    UT Date

    UT Time

    Video Frames
    (1/30 s)

    Probable
    Type

    Telescopes

    195

    19 Jan 10

    00:28:45

    2

    Sporadic

    20", two 14"

    196

    19 Jan 10

    00:57:07

    2

    Sporadic

    two 14"

    197

    18 Feb 10

    01:31:43

    2

    Sporadic

    one 14"

    198

    19 Feb 10

    00:45:40

    1

    Sporadic

    two 14"

    199

    19 Feb 10

    01:15:11

    3

    Sporadic

    two 14"

    200

    20 Mar 10

    01:07:27

    2

    Sporadic

    two 14"

    201

    21 Apr 10

    02:48:03

    1

    Sporadic

    three 14"

    202

    18 May 10

    01:32:36

    2

    Sporadic?

    one 14"

    203

    18 May 10

    01:38:31

    1

    Sporadic?

    three 14"

    204

    18 May 10

    01:56:33

    2

    Sporadic?

    two 14"

    205

    18 May 10

    02:31:09

    2

    Sporadic?

    three 14"

    206

    08 Jul 10

    08:08:58

    2

    Sporadic

    two 14"

    207

    08 Jul 10

    08:48:56

    8

    Sporadic

    two 14"

    208

    02 Sep 10

    06:54:16

    2

    Sporadic

    three 14"

    209

    13 Sep 10

    01:10:24

    4

    Sporadic

    one 14"

    210

    04 Oct 10

    09:27:01

    1

    Sporadic

    two 14"

    211

    13 Nov 10

    02:49:58

    1

    Sporadic

    two 14"

    212

    13 Dec 10

    23:53:52

    4

    Geminid

    two 14"

    213

    13 Dec 10

    23:53:57

    1

    Geminid

    two 14"

    214

    14 Dec 10

    00:25:25

    1

    Geminid

    two 14"

    215

    14 Dec 10

    01:16:15

    2

    Geminid

    two 14"

    216

    14 Dec 10

    01:16:42

    2

    Geminid

    one 14"

    217

    14 Dec 10

    01:17:09

    2

    Geminid

    one 14"

    218

    14 Dec 10

    01:49:31

    3

    Geminid

    three 14"

    219

    14 Dec 10

    01:55:48

    2

    Geminid

    two 14"

    220

    14 Dec 10

    01:56:51

    2

    Geminid

    two 14"

    221

    14 Dec 10

    02:51:01

    1

    Geminid

    two 14"

    222

    14 Dec 10

    02:55:58

    3

    Geminid

    two 14"

    223

    14 Dec 10

    03:25:51

    2

    Geminid

    three 14"

    224

    14 Dec 10

    03:31:47

    1

    Geminid

    two 14"

    225

    14 Dec 10

    03:33:39

    3

    Geminid

    8"*, three 14"

    226

    14 Dec 10

    03:42:20

    2

    Geminid

    three 14"

    227

    14 Dec 10

    04:08:31

    3

    Geminid

    two 14"

    228

    14 Dec 10

    04:29:48

    1

    Geminid

    two 14"

    229

    14 Dec 10

    04:35:40

    2

    Geminid

    three 14"

    230

    14 Dec 10

    04:43:04

    1

    Geminid

    three 14"

    231

    14 Dec 10

    04:52:12

    2

    Geminid

    two 14"

    232

    14 Dec 10

    05:23:56

    7

    Geminid

    two 14"

    (Flash magnitudes typically range between 7 and 10.)

    * Confirmation! Mr. Brian Cudnik captured Impact Flash #225 on his 8" telescope from Texas.

    View More
    › 2005-06 Impact Candidates
    › 2007 Impact Candidates
    › 2008 Impact Candidates
    › 2009 Impact Candidates
    › 2011-2012 Impact Candidates
    › Detailed info about all MEO Impact Candidates (PDF, <800 KB)
    › Impact Candidates reported to the MEO by independent observers

    MSFC Lunar Impact 2010 Flash Detections

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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