An astronomer in Ireland has captured a rare event: a lunar impact flash. This explosion of light, caused by an object colliding with the Moon, was recorded by Andrew Marshall-Lee, a PhD student at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP).
Lunar impact flashes are hard to catch. They usually last only a fraction of a second and happen infrequently. This instance is likely just the second recorded occurrence in the UK. Marshall-Lee used the Armagh Robotic Telescope to observe this stunning moment, which he admits will stay with him forever.
Capturing this flash isn’t easy. “Normally, you’d record hours of footage and analyze it later,” he explained. “I was lucky enough to see it happen right in front of me.” His blend of preparation and fortune ultimately led to this unforgettable experience.
The AOP mentions that such flashes are more likely during meteor showers when the Moon moves through debris left by comets or asteroids. The objects causing these flashes are usually small, often smaller than a golf ball, making them too faint to see with most telescopes. When they hit the Moon at high speeds—around 35 kilometers per second—their energy turns into heat and light, vaporizing some material and creating an observable flash.
This lunar flash happened during the peak of the Geminid meteor shower, which occurs every December. This annual event has been popular among skywatchers for its bright meteors. Recent studies show that these meteors are actually remnants from an extinct comet known as 3200 Phaethon.
Marshall-Lee’s discovery adds to a growing body of knowledge about lunar impacts. Research indicates that thousands of small meteoroids hit the Moon each year. Most go unnoticed, so moments like this are exciting for both scientists and astronomy enthusiasts.
For more details, you can explore the AOP’s website where they feature the video of this impact flash here.
