After 7 years, a spent Falcon 9 rocket stage is on course to hit the Moon

Re:After 7 years, a spent Falcon 9 rocket stage is on course... by mikewarot on Monday January 24, 2022 @01:40PM (#30061950)

It looks like the moon will be mostly dark (4%) on March 4, is it possible that you could see this from the ground? I know it'll be fast because there's no atmosphere to push back and keep a fireball in place.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:After 7 years, a spent Falcon 9 rocket stage is on course... by bener on Monday January 24, 2022 @06:47PM (#30065835)

The article states the far side of the moon will be impacted, surely that would make visibility much less likely...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:After 7 years, a spent Falcon 9 rocket stage is on course... by mikewarot on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @12:00AM (#30068250)

Oh well, there was a 50/50 chance of that... I missed it in my reading, thanks for sharing.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:After 7 years, a spent Falcon 9 rocket stage is on course... by bener on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @03:08AM (#30069419)

No worries!

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:After 7 years, a spent Falcon 9 rocket stage is on course... by gregoriol on Monday January 24, 2022 @03:39PM (#30063680)

Not sure there will be a fireball if there is no fuel left nor atmosphere, maybe more like a dust cloud?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:After 7 years, a spent Falcon 9 rocket stage is on course... by mikewarot on Monday January 24, 2022 @03:50PM (#30063836)

The kinetic energy will melt things at the impact site and turn them into a glowing vapor cloud... which will dissipate quickly in the vacuum. I just wonder if it'll be bright enough to see on the ground if you happen to glance at that instant.

The moon will be below the horizon where I live, oh well.

[ Parent | on HN ]