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Orbital image of McGetchin crater and surrounding impact debris on the Moon.
Science & Space

Did the newly reported McGetchin crater form on the Moon in September 2026?

Published

Verdict
False
Verification confidenceMedium

Explanation

No. McGetchin crater did not form in September 2026. NASA and USRA place the impact between April 11 and May 22, 2024, although their reports were published on September 16, 2026.

The discovery used images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Comparing observations from before and after the impact allowed researchers to constrain when the crater appeared. USRA reports a diameter of 222 metres.

Newly reported does not mean newly formed that month. The cited sources provide an impact window, not an exact day. Both accounts draw on the same research, so their agreement is not an independent replication.

Key takeaway

The September 2026 announcement describes a crater formed in 2024. Keep the publication date separate from the event date.

Evidence

NASA places the impact in spring 2024

NASA

Contradicts the claim

NASA's September 16, 2026 report states that McGetchin crater formed between April 11 and May 22, 2024, based on before-and-after lunar observations.

Based on: NASA

USRA reports the same formation interval

Universities Space Research Association

Contradicts the claim

USRA identifies the crater as 222 metres across and places its formation between April 11 and May 22, 2024. This account comes from an institution involved in the same study.

Based on: Universities Space Research Association

Sources

NASA

NASA’s Moon Orbiter Spots New, ‘Once-in-Century’ Moon Crater

Sep 16, 2026
Universities Space Research Association

NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Discovers a New 222-m Diameter Lunar Crater

Sep 16, 2026

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