Space junk hits moon surface creates big new crater on moon.

Why in news?

• As per astronomers, Space junk dug new crater on Moon.
• It was the first unintentional case of space Junk hitting the moon surface that created a new crater (around 65 feet wide) on Moon.
• Piece of space junk was part of Chang’e 541 -a lunar mission launched by the China.
• Craters on the moon are of a more permanent nature than those on earth. This Is because:
• Absence of atmosphere means there is no wind system on moon, and hence no cause for erosion of existing craters.
• Absence of tectonics prevents the moon’s surface from forming new rocks, or causing a shift in the existing surface patterns.
• Absence of volcanism makes it impossible for craters to be covered.
• Space debris, also called space Junk, artificial material that is orbiting Earth but is no longer functional.
• This material can be as large as discarded rocket stage or as small as a microscopic chip of paint.
• Space debris orbits around the earth at 25,265 kph in low Earth orbit.
• Risk associated with Space Debris: Astronaut suits/equipment are not designed to deal with it; re-entering into the earth may pose risk to life, Increase the cost of operation etc

Kessler Syndrome

• It is a phenomenon in which the amount of junk In orbit around Earth reaches a point where it just more and more space debris, causing big problems for satellites astronauts and mission planners.