ESO telescope observes Falcon 9 upper stage impact on the Moon
Story essentials
European Southern Observatory (ESO), SpaceX
Moon
January 2025
This page is produced by collecting and structuring multiple public reports. Sections based only on reporting or testimony affect the displayed assessment, and the page is updated when new information is identified.
About this article
COMPAMIR Editorial Team
The COMPAMIR editorial team brings together public reporting and links to the original coverage. We update the page as new information emerges.
Read our editorial policy- Earlier version 18/6/2026, 7:51:07 PM
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) observed the impact of a Falcon 9 upper stage on the Moon. Spectroscopic analysis detected lithium and sodium in the dust cloud created by the impact.
Read next
Prioritized by shared people, places, and events.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage impacts the moon
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage, launched in January 2025, impacted the moon near Einstein Crater. Astronomers confirmed the impact via a debris plume detected by a telescope in Chile. SpaceX is coordinating with NASA to mitigate future lunar debris risks.