Usually when a nation-state or a corporation accidentally sends a piece of space junk flying out of control, and it breaks something, other people get upset. Here's a notable exception: A piece of space junk appears to have collided with the Moon at roughly 5,800 miles per hour on March 4th, and scientists are excited. While the incident underscores an ongoing problem in terms of humankind's debris-laden exploration of space, it may also provide scientists with an opportunity to learn more the geology of Earth's moon.
The Moon is full of mysteries, from how it affects our sleep cycles to the presence of carbon dioxide "traps" that could in theory one day be used to help people create lunar colonies. Yet on this occasion it may actually be able to help clear up a mystery — namely, what an impact crater on the Moon looks like immediately after formation. In the process, that could help scientists date existing craters on the Moon and refine our geologic understanding of Earth's natural satellite.
