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Explosion on Moon Spreads Moondust

Posted by Zonk on from the what-did-you-do-pinky? dept.

Jotii writes "NASA scientists have observed an explosion on the moon. The blast, equal in energy to about 70 kg of TNT, occurred near the edge of Marethe Sea of Rains on Nov. 7, 2005, when a 12-centimeter-wide meteoroid slammed into the ground. The main danger of such explosions is the static and toxic moondust, which is thrown around."

7 of 160 comments (clear)

  1. Danger?! by Cally · · Score: 2, Insightful
    The main danger of such explosions is the static and toxic moondust, which is thrown around."

    The main danger to what, the other moon rocks lying around within 10m of the impact point? Gimme a break, already!

    The space.com headline is a bit closer to the mark... "Small space rock spotted hitting the moon".

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    1. Re:Danger?! by Jotii · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It is dangerous to future astronauts and outposts.

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  2. Re:How do they know the size and speed of the obje by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Eh, if you know the kinetic energy wouldn't you know the *product* of the mass AND speed, but not either individually?

    Been a while since I've taken physics but it seems intuitive...

  3. Re:Does anyone remember the Outer Limits? by Jotii · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Rocks aren't really intercepted by the moon, they hit it because the moon lacks an atmosphere. Earth's atmosphere reduces rocks to harmless strims of heat.

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  4. Re:Danger? by aussie_a · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Because the moon is crawling with astronauts. I think there's about one person on the moon, and he's dead. And he's been burnt so it's really only his ashes on the moon.

  5. That's a first... by Jugalator · · Score: 2, Insightful

    That's the first time I've heard a meteor impact referred to as "explosion on moon spreads moondust".

    I'm no astronomer so I'm not sure it's written that way and posted here on Slashdot because it's really something notable just having happened, or it's just a one among thousands of meteor impact caught with a camera?

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  6. Re:Danger? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    You seem to be thinking about indoor dust. What about dirt, rock, sand and ice.