[Kryoneri Observatory]
The European Space Agency and Greece’s National Observatory are jointly investigating meteorite impacts on the moon through the NELIOTA program, launched in 2015.
NELIOTA, now in its third phase, targets meteoroids traveling up to 60 km per second, assessing their mass, size, temperature and crater effects by observing impact flashes on the lunar surface. Because the moon lacks an atmosphere, these collisions are unfiltered and thus observable.
Dr Alexios Liakos of the observatory said that so far the team has confirmed 193 flashes and 103 candidate events. Most impacting objects weighed under 200 grams and measured 1-3 cm in radius, yet their kinetic energy could damage satellites or future lunar bases.
The project is being conducted at the Kryoneri Observatory, which houses Greece’s largest dedicated lunar telescope powered by twin digital cameras and automated analysis software. The latest phase is funded under Horizon Europe.
