Description: An impact crater is a depression on the surface of a planet, moon, or other solid minor body of the Solar System. Impact craters are formed by a high velocity impact of a smaller body (meteorite). The Moon is full of impact craters due to its lack of atmosphere. The thick atmosphere on Earth stops many meteors from ever reaching the ground. An example of an impact crater on Earth Is Meteor Crater in Arizona, USA.

Related Terms:

• Crater

Term and definition status: This term and its definition have been approved by a research astronomer and a teacher

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