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Rare Lunar Impact Flash Captured During Geminid Meteor Shower

12/19/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium in Northern Ireland recorded a rare lunar impact flash at 03:09 am UTC on December 12, 2025, caused by a small object striking the Moon.
PhD student Andrew Marshall-Lee of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium observed the event live using the Armagh Robotic Telescope.
The flash is likely linked to debris from asteroid 3200 Phaethon.
It is the second lunar impact flash recorded in the British Isles.
The observatory expects more collisions as the Geminid meteor shower continues through December 20, 2025.

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Story summary

The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium in Northern Ireland recorded a rare lunar impact flash at 03:09 am UTC on December 12, 2025, caused by a small object striking the Moon.
PhD student Andrew Marshall-Lee of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium observed the event live using the Armagh Robotic Telescope.
The flash is likely linked to debris from asteroid 3200 Phaethon.
It is the second lunar impact flash recorded in the British Isles.
The observatory expects more collisions as the Geminid meteor shower continues through December 20, 2025.