How do scientists know the age of a crater on the Moon?
Quick Answer
They count impact craters on the surface and compare the crater’s appearance with samples and known geological timelines. Apollo samples helped anchor the Moon’s impact history to real ages.
The Full Story
Lunar crater ages are estimated using crater-count dating and by comparing the freshness of ejecta, rays, and superposed impacts. Younger surfaces tend to have fewer smaller craters because they have been exposed for less time. Apollo samples provided absolute ages for some lunar terrains, allowing scientists to calibrate crater counts across the Moon and beyond. This technique is also used on Mars and other solid worlds where returned samples are not yet available.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"The Moon’s surface has a built-in age clock."
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