The South Pole–Aitken basin (SPA Basin, /ˈeɪtkɪn/) is an immense impact crater on the far side of the Moon. At roughly 2,500 km (1,600 mi) in diameter and between 6.2 and 8.2 km (3.9–5.1 mi) deep, it is one of the largest known impact craters in the Solar System.
What is the deepest crater on Earth?
The Vredefort crater /ˈfrɪərdəfɔːrt/ is the largest verified impact crater on Earth. More than 300 kilometres (190 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.
How deep is the deepest crater on the Moon?
Stretching 1,550 miles (2,500 kilometers) wide and 8 miles (13 km) deep, the South Pole-Aitken basin, as the tremendous hole is known to Earthlings, is the oldest and deepest crater on the moon, and one of the largest craters in the entire solar system.
Is every crater on the moon the same depth?
Apparent depth does not exceed 3400 m on the moon, regardless of crater depth (Fig. 1). This limit is the same for both simple and complex craters, although the sample on which the figure is based for large complex craters is rather small.
What is the biggest crater in the universe?
List of largest craters in the Solar System
| Body | Crater | Crater diameter |
|---|---|---|
| Earth | Chicxulub crater | 182 km (113 mi) |
| Moon (moon of Earth) | Procellarum | 3,000 km (2,000 mi) |
| South Pole–Aitken basin | 2,500 km (1,600 mi) | |
| Imbrium | 1,145 km (711 mi) |
How big was asteroid that killed the dinosaurs?
It was tens of miles wide and forever changed history when it crashed into Earth about 66 million years ago. The Chicxulub impactor, as it’s known, was a plummeting asteroid or comet that left behind a crater off the coast of Mexico that spans 93 miles and goes 12 miles deep.
When did the last asteroid hit Earth?
The last known impact of an object of 10 km (6 mi) or more in diameter was at the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event 66 million years ago. The energy released by an impactor depends on diameter, density, velocity, and angle.
What if we dug a hole through the moon?
And as you drill your way through these thousands of kilometers, you’ll notice that the gravity has been changing. As you reach the center of the Moon, the gravity will reach zero, and you’ll be completely weightless, floating in the Moon’s inner core, made of solid iron.
Are there bottomless craters on the moon?
At approximately 8 miles deep, it isn’t “bottomless,” but the Aitken Basin is the deepest crater ever observed on the Moon; of course, that depth is more than offset by the enormous area of the impact site, which is approximately 1600 miles in diameter.
Why do we only see one side of the moon?
One side of the moon always faces Earth because of what’s called synchronous rotation. That is, the moon rotates, or spins on its axis, in the same length of time it takes to orbit Earth. … For that reason, our moon always has one side facing Earth, which we call the moon’s near side.
What is a moon crater called?
Lunar craters are impact craters on Earth’s Moon. The Moon’s surface has many craters, all of which were formed by impacts. The International Astronomical Union currently recognizes 9,137 craters, of which 1,675 have been dated.
Why are moon craters so shallow?
Gravity limits the height of crater rims and the depth of their interior just as it limits the height of mountains and the depth of canyons by limiting the angle of repose on slopes. The result is that large impact craters appear quite shallow. This is true of all the planets and moons.
How deep is the Vredefort crater?
The impact occurred southwest of what is now Johannesburg, South Africa, and temporarily made a 40-kilometer-deep and 100-kilometer-wide dent in the surface.
Which planet has the most moons?
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| Planet / Dwarf Planet | Confirmed Moons | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Earth | 1 | 1 |
| Mars | 2 | 2 |
| Jupiter | 53 | 79 |
| Saturn | 53 | 82 |
What is the hottest planet?
Venus is the exception, as its proximity to the Sun and dense atmosphere make it our solar system’s hottest planet. The average temperatures of planets in our solar system are: Mercury – 800°F (430°C) during the day, -290°F (-180°C) at night. Venus – 880°F (471°C)
What does mare mean in astronomy?
Mare, plural maria, any flat, dark plain of lower elevation on the Moon. The term, which in Latin means “sea,” was erroneously applied to such features by telescopic observers of the 17th century.