Ireland's First Lunar Impact Flash Captured on Video
Armagh Observatory captures what may be Ireland's first video of a lunar impact flash—the brief light from a tiny space rock striking the Moon, during the Geminid shower.
A routine night of observation at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium yielded a remarkable moment: a tiny object struck the Moon, producing a brief, bright flash captured on camera. The event is believed to be Ireland's first video record of a lunar impact flash and perhaps the second such capture in the United Kingdom.
What happened and who recorded it
The flash was detected by Andrew Marshall-Lee, a final-year PhD student, using the Armagh Robotic Telescope (ART). He happened to be monitoring the live feed when the flash appeared on screen, an experience he describes as unforgettable.
Why lunar impact flashes are rare
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium notes that these flashes last only a fraction of a second and are extremely hard to spot without continuous monitoring. They occur more often during major meteor showers when the Moon passes through debris trails left by comets and asteroids.
Size, speed and origin
Objects causing the flashes are usually very small — often smaller than a golf ball — and are far too faint to be seen grazing Earth or while in space. In this case, the impact released enough kinetic energy to momentarily vaporize material at the impact site, creating the visible flash. The team estimates the object was traveling around 35 kilometers per second.
Connection to the Geminids
The timing coincided with the peak of the Geminid meteor shower, making this event the most likely source of the impact. The Geminids are one of the major annual meteor showers and are known for producing bright displays in the night sky.
What's next
AOP plans further analysis to trace the impact's origin, and the observatory has published a video of the flash on its website for public viewing.
Expert comment: Lunar impact flashes are incredibly brief and faint, meaning they require automated, continuous monitoring to catch. This observation showcases how robotic telescopes can capture rare, science-rich moments in real time.
Short summary: The Armagh Observatory captured what may be Ireland's first video of a lunar impact flash. Spotted during the Geminid meteor shower, the event involved a tiny object colliding with the Moon at high speed, producing a brief flash. The recording highlights the growing role of automated telescopes in observing transient astronomical phenomena.
Key takeaway: Even small space rocks can create bright, fleeting flashes on the Moon during high-speed impacts, offering a rare glimpse into lunar surface processes. BBC article
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