The upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket struck the lunar surface on Wednesday near the Einstein crater, in an unplanned impact that NASA described as safe and posing no risk to Earth or to missions operating on the Moon.

On August 5, a retired SpaceX rocket stage will impact the Moon. Researchers have calculated where and how the debris cloud will be visible to telescopes.

On Wednesday, August 5, the high-speed collision of the rocket's upper stage with the moon would carve out a crater. | World News

A SpaceX rocket stage is set to impact the moon early Wednesday morning. This four-metric-ton object is traveling at high speed toward the lunar surface. Cosmic forces and solar…