SpaceX rocket crashes into Moon: What happened and what scientists found

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage crashed into the Moon, creating a new crater and giving scientists a rare chance to study lunar impacts.

Out-Of-Control SpaceX Rocket Slams Into Moon: Scientists  HuffPost

NEW YORK: Part of a SpaceX rocket approximately the size of a bus slammed into the moon as predicted, scientists said on Wednesday (Aug 5), after a telescope in Chile captured evidence of a stream of debris.The collision, which was not intentional, posed no danger to Earth and is expected to have left a lunar crater in

Although no one observed the actual 8700kph collision, a telescope in Chile spotted what astronomers say was the debris plume resulting from the crash.

Once imaging is returned, scientists say it will confirm what NASA predicted: that the rocket’s upper stage unintentionally slammed into the moon, carving out a large crater.

Scientists are certain a wayward SpaceX rocket slammed into the moon as predicted  Chicago Tribune

The rocket drifted in space for over a year before finally plummeting to the moon’s surface.

Scientists say they're certain that a SpaceX rocket has slammed into the moon as predicted. The 5,400-mph crash has yet to be officially confirmed. But space-tracking experts say it's inevitable that the leftover rocket segment plowed into the moon on Wednesday after drifting off course for the past year.

Scientists say they're certain that a SpaceX rocket has slammed into the moon as predicted

Scientists say they're certain that a SpaceX rocket has slammed into the moon as predicted

Scientists are certain a wayward SpaceX rocket slammed into the moon as predicted  AP News

A piece of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is believed to have crashed into the moon after floating in space since last year.

A part of a SpaceX rocket is thought to have crashed into the Moon.

While the collision was an accident, it is a unique scientific gift for planetary geologists that could provide important data for future space missions.

'There is no danger to Earth,' said a NASA spokesperson. 'NASA scientists are planning to collect lunar data from the event and refine techniques for tracking objects in space,' the US agency said.

'There is no danger to Earth,' said a NASA spokesperson. 'NASA scientists are planning to collect lunar data from the event and refine techniques for tracking objects in space,' the US agency said.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, telescopes around the world will try to capture something never seen from Earth: an old rocket slamming into the moon's daylight side.

See the Moon phase expected for August 3, 2026 as well as when the next Full Moon is expected.

A defunct part of a Falcon 9 rocket could slam into the moon at more than 5,000 miles per hour, according to scientists.