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ABC News
ABC News
National
Lara Smit

Crashed mystery rocket leaves unusual double crater on Moon

The crash site, which has been photographed by NASA, has left scientists puzzled.  (NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University)

NASA photographed the crash site of an unknown rocket that smashed into the Moon, creating two large craters.

The impact, which occurred in the beginning of March, created an 18-metre-diameter eastern crater superimposed on a western crater, which was 16 metres in diameter. 

The double crater, according to NASA, might have indicated the rocket body had large masses at each end. 

Never before had a rocket crash caused a double crater on the Moon.

The crash site, which has been photographed by NASA, has left scientists puzzled. 

Although there were earlier signs that a crash was going to happen and scientists predicted a discarded rocket was going to hit the Moon in March, its origins are still unknown. 

Several astronomers said the piece of space junk was from China, although Chinese officials disagreed.

When predicted in March, the collision was only expected to punch a shallow crater.

Up until now, more than 47 NASA rockets have crashed into the Moon, according to Arizona State University, but a double crater was unexpected, said NASA. 

Another explanation for the double crater, would be a piece of debris that had two large masses at each end, although this seemed unlikely. 

"Typically a spent rocket has mass concentrated at the motor end; the rest of the rocket stage mainly consists of an empty fuel tank," NASA said in a statement.

Since the origin of the rocket body remains unsure, the double nature of the crater may indicate its identity, NASA stated. 

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