Crater

(noun)

A hemispherical pit created by the impact of a meteorite or other object.

Related Terms

Examples of Crater in the following topics:

  • Europa's Possible Ocean

    • Scientists propose the Europa's smooth surface, with very few craters, must be the result of ice covering an ocean which evens out the surface.
    • Originally there were hypotheses that the atmosphere burning up or weathering of the craters were the source of Europa's smooth surface, but these ideas were discarded due to Europa's thin atmosphere.
    • The thick-ice model refers to Europa's large craters and their surrounding concentric rings.

  • Mars and a Biosphere

    • Mars has a thin atmosphere and its surface is very similar to the Earth's moon (craters).