On July 17, 2018, an ancient cosmic fragment shattered into the moon, creating a bright energy flash. Exactly 24 hours later, another space rock repeated the flash event. The current analysis indicates that these are two interacting meteoroids (fragments of asteroids and comets), which in size reached the walnut parameter. Most likely, they originated from the Alpha Kapornid meteor shower when the Earth and the Moon passed through the tail of comet 169P / NEAT.
For a thousand years, people have claimed that they see short-lived phenomena on the lunar surface. These temporary flashes are difficult to study, and the definition remained vague. Therefore, researchers pay attention to such phenomena in order to obtain more data about the Moon, its history and future. The first systematic attempt to detect shock flashes began with CCD cameras in 1997. Surveillance continues with modern MIDAS technology. A series of telescopes equipped with highly sensitive CCD cameras, and the project itself covers three astronomical observatories in Spain.
These instruments identify rocks that strike the dark regions of the lunar surface. Studying meteoroids on the moon, one can understand how often they fall and what the impact on the Earth can be. Here it is important to clarify the differences. The “far side” of the moon is the side rotated to a different direction from the earth, but the “dark” side refers to any part that is not currently illuminated by the sun (for example, a crescent moon).
