Scientists are preparing for a collision of debris from a rocket that could hit the Moon.
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Tomorrow morning, around 7:15 a.m., a rocket of Chinese origin will crash into the Moon.
“It will reach the far side of the Moon, but it will still be possible to observe the impact,” explains Robert Lamontagne, coordinator of the Center for Research in Astrophysics of Quebec.
According to information received by experts, it would be a rocket left in October 2014 by the Chinese for a test mission. The last stage of the rocket in question would have detached.
“It’s rather unusual for a rocket stage to crash into the Moon. Most of the time, they are placed in stable orbits that revolve around the earth, the sun or the moon. In this case, there was a glitch,” says Mr. Lamontagne.
However, this is not the first time that the phenomenon has occurred, according to Mr. Lamontagne.
“For now, there are no consequences. But it raises a problem that, over time, will become increasingly important, since many plan to explore more of the Moon. There could be a congestion problem”, concludes Robert Lamontagne.