Shocking Lunar Impact: What Did We Just Witness on the Moon?

In a captivating display of celestial fireworks, astronomer Daichi Fujii from the Hiratsuka City Museum has recorded stunning flash videos on the Moon’s surface, coinciding with the dazzling Geminid meteor shower. This remarkable phenomenon raises the possibility that some of these cosmic fireballs have found their way to our lunar neighbor.

The Moon, known for its cratered complexion, frequently bears the scars of collisions with remnants of space debris. A notable study by NASA in 2015 revealed that the Moon was struck by 19 Geminid meteors in 2006 and 21 in 2010. The recent footage by Fujii may offer a real-time glimpse of these lunar impacts.

On December 8, 2023, Fujii was able to capture the impact flashes at two precise times—7:41 p.m. and 10:34 p.m. local time. Using various telescopes, he confirmed that what he saw were indeed flashes associated with meteor impacts. “Bright meteors and fireballs are common, but witnessing lunar impact flashes back-to-back is truly unprecedented,” he relayed in his updates on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

The Geminids, renowned for being one of the most thrilling annual meteor showers, illuminate the night sky each December. They can appear like vivid cosmic fireworks to the naked eye, particularly on clear evenings. NASA encourages aspiring stargazers to give their eyes around 30 minutes to acclimate to darkness for the best viewing experience.

This meteor shower is notably unique as it originates from an asteroid, 3200 Phaethon, discovered by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite in October 1983. Recent observations by a collaborative NASA-ESA mission unveiled intriguing details about Phaethon’s tail, which is primarily composed of sodium rather than dust — a finding that could alter the narrative surrounding the origins of the Geminids.

Fujii is no stranger to capturing extraordinary celestial events. Last year, he filmed NASA’s ICESat-2 satellite emitting laser pulses into the night sky, marking a historic first for the ICESat-2 team. Furthermore, he documented a meteor impacting the Moon in a similar fashion to the recent flashes, which showcases his remarkable observational skills.

While it remains uncertain whether the flashes caught by Fujii this December originated from Geminids, one expert from the American Meteor Society indicated that they match the expected trajectory of such meteors, raising the possibility of an otherworldly collision.

Stay tuned as the fascination with cosmic events continues to ignite curiosity and wonder. What other mysteries does the universe hold for us? Buckle up, because the show is far from over!