Very Large Telescope in northern Chile confirms SpaceX rocket impact on the Moon

The Very Large Telescope in northern Chile became the first to record the impact of discarded SpaceX rocket debris on the Moon, a milestone for astronomy. The Falcon 9 upper stage, launched January 15, 2025, carried Blue Ghost and Hakuto-R lunar modules. Weighing four tons, it was discarded, did not return to Earth, and spent nearly two years in space before hitting the lunar surface. NASA had previously reported the likely impact. Astronomers worldwide observed it in real time; ESO Chile called the event a milestone for the country. The crater's depth remains unknown.