Since February this year, Indian scientists have suspected, but not confirmed, that an object from outer space left this mark on the landscape.
NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite has captured a detailed image of a huge meteor crater in the Banni Plains grassland in Gujarat.This mark on the landscape had been suspected, but not confirmed, until February this year, when new analysis revealed characteristic signatures of a meteorite impact.
On February 24, 2024, the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on the Landsat 8 satellite captured a vivid image of the Luna impact crater, named after the village of the same name nearby. Approximately 1.8 kilometres in diameter, its outer rim towers about 20 feet above the crater floor, leaving a distinct mark on the landscape.
Luna is located in Gujarat state, among the Banni Plains, and is adjacent to the Great Rann of Kutch, a vast white salt desert. This dynamic environment often holds water due to the crater’s low-lying nature. In May 2022, scientists used a dry period to gather samples, finding rare minerals and higher iridium concentrations, which are indicative of the intense heat and pressure associated with meteorite impacts.
Approximately 6,900 years ago, radiocarbon dating of plant remains within the silt indicates the impact occurred. While Luna resides near ancient Harappan settlement remnants, the timing of the impact relative to human presence remains uncertain, which adds layers of intrigue to its geological and historical significance.
The Earth Impact Database confirms fewer than 200 structures from around the world, which makes this crater one of the planet’s most important sites.
Nasa explained that many meteorites that survive the trip through Earth’s atmosphere end up splashing into water, hence the modest number of craters.
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