Table of Contents
What caused the Aitken basin?
Computer simulations of large asteroid impacts suggest that, under the right conditions, an iron-nickel core of an asteroid might be lodged into the upper mantle of the moon (the layer between the moon’s crust and core) during an impact, in this case the impact that created the South Pole-Aitken Basin.
Why is the South Pole-Aitken Basin significant?
The South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin is the largest and oldest recognized impact basin on the moon. Lunar samples suggest that most of the major basins on the moon formed around 3.9 billion years ago in a period called the late heavy bombardment.
How old is the Aitken basin?
about 4 billion years ago
“The South Pole-Aitken basin — thought to have been created about 4 billion years ago — is the largest preserved crater in the Solar System,” Dr.
What is a moon basin?
Basins are the largest craters on the Moon, but they weren’t recognized because nearly all of the ones on the Earth-ward facing hemisphere are filled with mare lava flows.
What is the biggest crater on Earth?
The Vredefort crater
The Vredefort crater /ˈfrɪərdəfɔːrt/ is the largest verified impact crater on Earth. It was 160–300 km (99–186 mi) across when it was formed; what remains of it is in the present-day Free State province of South Africa. It is named after the town of Vredefort, which is near its centre.
What is the biggest crater on Mars?
List of largest craters in the Solar System
| Body | Crater | Crater diameter |
|---|---|---|
| Mars | North Polar Basin | 10,600 × 8,500 km (6,550 × 5,250 mi) |
| Utopia | 3,300 km (2,100 mi) | |
| Hellas | 2,300 km (1,400 mi) | |
| Vesta (asteroid) | Rheasilvia | 505 km (310 mi) |
How do you pronounce Aitken basin?
Break ‘aitken’ down into sounds: [AYT] + [KIN] – say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them.
Why is Moon full of craters?
Craters on the Moon are caused by asteroids and meteorites colliding with the lunar surface. Unlike the Earth, the Moon has no atmosphere to protect itself from impacting bodies. It also has very little geologic activity (like volcanoes) or weathering (from wind or rain) so craters remain intact from billions of years.
What is Moon surface?
The moon’s surface is covered with dead volcanoes, impact craters, and lava flows, some visible to the unaided stargazer. They are oceans of a sort, but rather than water, such bodies are made up of pools of hardened lava.
How big is the Aitken Crater?
about 135 km
Aitken crater is about 135 km in diameter. It is located on the northern rim of the South Pole-Aitken Basin, the largest preserved basin on the moon. The crater has a central peak and much of its original floor has been buried by younger rock.
Why is moon full of craters?