An Elon Musk-linked rocket has apparently crashed into the moon at about 5,400 mph (8,700 kph), an impact that astronomers expected could add to the growing activity around the lunar environment. The collision itself was not seen directly.

A telescope in Chile detected a plume that astronomers identified as debris produced by the impact. The observation provided evidence of the crash even though no telescope recorded the moment the rocket struck the lunar surface.

Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell said he was highly confident the rocket had broken apart and that its remains were now scattered across the moon. Space-tracking specialists are examining the event and its implications as lunar missions and objects near the moon become more frequent.