Why some scientists are thrilled that a SpaceX rocket has crashed into the Moon

Figure caption, Why haven't we seen images of SpaceX Moon crash yet?ByPallab GhoshScience CorrespondentA stray SpaceX rocket is believed to have crashed into the Moon, forming a crater near a famous lunar landmark and giving scientists a unique research opportunity that could help future missions.The empty upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket was due to strike the Moon near the Einstein crater at a speed of about 5,400mph (8,700km/h) on Wednesday.The short, dramatic flash it created would have been hard to catch by amateur astronomers even with high-end telescopes, but larger observatories in the Americas are analysing the information.It could be days or even weeks before the full picture of what happened and what we can learn from it is known - but for planetary geologists, this accidental collision is a scientific gift.Figure caption, Watch: Science Museum's head of space on what scientists will look for after crashSpace X's Falcon 9 rocket is a reusable model and has been sent into space on several missions. Its design allows part of the rocket to return to Earth, but other sections are shed in space.The rocket blasted off from Florida in January last year, carrying two lunar lander...