Scientists are certain a wayward SpaceX rocket slammed into the moon as predicted
- Scientists report that a SpaceX rocket crashed into the moon after drifting off course for a year.
- The collision occurred at a speed of 5,400 mph, but has yet to be officially confirmed.
- A telescope in Chile detected a debris plume resulting from the crash.
- Experts believe that the crash was inevitable due to solar activity and gravity.
- The anticipated crash site was near Einstein Crater on the moon.
A SpaceX rocket that launched a pair of lunar landers slammed into the moon as predicted on Wednesday after drifting off course for the past year, scientists reported.
Although no one observed the actual 5,400-mph collision, a telescope in Chile spotted what astronomers have identified as the debris plume resulting from the crash.
Space tracking experts said it was inevitable that the leftover rocket segment plowed into the moon. The anticipated crash site was a dusty, barren patch near Einstein Crater on the moon’s sunlit western limb.
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is expected to provide visual confirmation of the impact crater in the coming week.
科学家确信一枚失控的SpaceX火箭如预期撞击了月球
一枚SpaceX火箭在漂移一年后如预期于周三撞击了月球，科学家报告称。
尽管没有人观察到实际的5400英里每小时的碰撞，但智利的一台望远镜探测到了天文学家所识别的撞击后产生的碎片云。
空间跟踪专家表示，剩余的火箭部分撞击月球是不可避免的。预计的撞击地点位于月球的爱因斯坦陨石坑附近的一个尘土飞扬、荒凉的区域。
NASA的月球侦察轨道器预计将在下周提供撞击坑的视觉确认。