Super speedy space chunks regularly slam into the moon – that’s why it has so many lovely craters. An exceptionally big one fell recently and hit at 56 thousand miles per hour, liquefying rock and ejecting tons of dust. Sound awesome?

Here’s the good news: It was recorded on video.

Here’s the bad news: Perspective is everything.

If we had been standing within sight of this on the Lunar surface, we’d have had a “shock and awe” moment easily rivaling the kind of explosive mayhem we’ve become used to in all our action films and thrillers. From our vantage point here on Earth, however, this major collision is just a brighter-than-usual pinprick of light.

There are indications that both the Earth and the Moon were pelted by a series of asteroids on March 17th, the date of the observed lunar explosion. We might have wound up with a much-too-close-for-comfort view of the festivities, had it not been for our protective atmosphere.

Scientists think tracking the frequency and location of explosive lunar impacts will come in handy should we ever attempt to have an extended human presence on the moon’s surface. Being able to predict the size, speed and trajectory of incoming boulders should give us a chance to leap out of the way. In theory.

There are plenty of famous moon songs, but they always depict our satellite as remote, mysterious and peaceful. I don’t know of any of them speak the to the constant threat of sudden violence that hangs over the dusty landscape there. Until now.

Cue Astronaut Tony Bennett!

Fly Me To The Moon
Help me dodge explosive bombs.
Drop me in a quiet spot
the universe becalms.
In other words, Asteroids!
In other words, help them miss me.

Walking on the moon
I’m seeing craters all around.
I’m afraid to look up
I’m afraid to turn around.
In other words, how’s your luck?
In other words, learn to duck!

How are your reflexes?