In a breathtaking celestial event, Japanese astronomer Daichi Fujii captured a rare phenomenon: two meteors colliding with the moon, creating a dazzling display of light and energy. But here's the twist—these meteors were not just any space rocks; they were part of the Taurid meteor shower, which is about to reach its peak! And this is where the story gets even more fascinating...
On two separate occasions, October 30 and November 1, Fujii witnessed these meteors slamming into the moon's surface, producing brilliant flashes of light. These flashes, lasting mere fractions of a second, were the result of high-speed collisions, with the meteors striking at astonishing velocities of around 60,000 mph. The first impact occurred near the Gassendi Crater, and the second near Oceanus Procellarum, one of the moon's vast lunar maria.
What makes this event so extraordinary? Well, the moon's atmosphere is virtually non-existent, allowing meteors to retain their incredible speed upon impact. This results in powerful explosions that can create craters tens of feet wide, even from relatively small meteoroids. Imagine a rock weighing just 11 pounds causing a crater over 30 feet wide! But here's where it gets controversial: these impacts may not be from the Taurid shower at all, but sporadic meteors. The timing, however, is intriguing, as it coincides with the Taurids' peak activity.
Fujii, a dedicated observer of lunar impact flashes since 2011, has become a leading figure in recording these events. With his specialized telescope, he has documented 60 flashes so far, each one a unique moment in the cosmic dance. A question for our readers: Do you think these impacts could have been avoided if the moon had a thicker atmosphere? Share your thoughts below!
The author, Daisy Dobrijevic, brings a wealth of experience to Space.com, having worked for All About Space magazine and the BBC Sky at Night Magazine. Her passion for space, especially solar activity and astrotourism, shines through in her writing. Stay tuned for more captivating space stories and join the discussion on our forums!
