A new crater on the Moon, named McGetchin, was officially identified and its location revealed by NASA on September 16, 2026. The crater, which appeared on the Moon's visible side in the spring of 2024, has a diameter of 225 meters and is surrounded by a bright ejecta halo—a ring of material thrown out during the impact. A French amateur astronomer had previously identified the crater in images from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter probe and in several amateur photographs. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is a NASA mission that has been mapping the Moon's surface in high detail since 2009. Ciel & Espace, a French astronomy magazine, announced the discovery of the crater on April 30, 2026, following a scientific publication. However, the publication did not specify the exact location of the crater. In response, Ciel & Espace launched a challenge for amateur astronomers to search for and photograph the new crater. The challenge aimed to engage the public in scientific discovery and encourage the use of amateur equipment to contribute to lunar research. On September 7, 2026, Yann Pinard, a 46-year-old amateur astronomer, sent an email to the Ciel & Espace editorial team claiming to have identified the impact. His evidence was convincing, leading the team to award him a one-year subscription to Ciel & Espace as a prize. Pinard’s identification included detailed photographs and precise coordinates, which aligned with the crater’s features described in the earlier scientific publication. NASA later confirmed the crater's location in a press release on September 16, 2026. The agency acknowledged the work of amateur astronomers like Pinard in contributing to lunar science and praised the collaborative spirit between professional and amateur researchers. The crater was named McGetchin in honor of a lunar researcher who contributed significantly to the study of impact craters on the Moon.