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Lunar Topography

Short answer: The Moon's craters were made by impacts of asteroids, comets and meteoroids over billions of years. Many large basins date to an early period of heavy bombardment, sometimes called the Late Heavy Bombardment, often placed about 4.1 to 3.8 billion years ago.

The South Pole-Aitken Basin, about 2,500 kilometers across, is the largest. Without air or water, there is little erosion to wear them away. The footage shows close-up views of the lunar surface.

VideoWrite-up2 sources

In collections:The Sun and the Stars

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What should you know about Lunar Topography?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Asteroids and comets.

    DD-385-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Impacts)

  2. About 4.1 to 3.8 billion years ago.

    DD-385-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Bombardment)

Video transcript: Lunar Topography: With No Air or Water, the Moon's Craters Barely Erode

Did you know? The moon's craters were formed primarily by impacts from asteroids, comets, and meteorites over billions of years. During the early history of the solar system, around 4.5 billion years ago, a period known as the Late Heavy Bombardment saw intense collisions between celestial bodies. These impacts created the moon's characteristic craters, ranging in size from small pits to massive basins, like the South Pole-Aitken Basin. Since the moon lacks an atmosphere, there is no erosion from wind or water to smooth out these features, allowing the craters to remain relatively unchanged over time. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 29.9s Reel ·

Video coming soonLunar Topography · Instagram Reel
Lunar Topography: With No Air or Water, the Moon's Craters Barely Erode Instagram Reel · · 29.9s

The write-up

With no air or water, the Moon's craters barely erode. Its largest basin is about 2,500 kilometers wide.

  1. Exhibit A

    Impacts

    Asteroids and comets.

  2. Exhibit B

    Bombardment

    About 4.1 to 3.8 billion years ago.

  3. Exhibit C

    Largest

    South Pole-Aitken Basin.

  4. Exhibit D

    Size

    About 2,500 km.

  5. Exhibit E

    Erosion

    No wind or water.

Questions people ask about Lunar Topography

What made the craters?

Collisions.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Impacts) · Wikipedia: Lunar craters

Largest basin?

Far side.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Bombardment) · Wikipedia: Lunar craters

Why do craters last?

No atmosphere.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Largest) · Wikipedia: South Pole–Aitken basin

When was the Late Heavy Bombardment?

Early.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Size) · Wikipedia: South Pole–Aitken basin

About how wide is South Pole-Aitken?

Huge.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Erosion) · Wikipedia: Lunar craters

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What made the craters?

    1. Impacts
    2. Volcanoes only
    3. Rivers
    4. Wind
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Impacts Collisions. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Impacts) · Wikipedia: Lunar craters

  2. Largest basin?

    1. South Pole-Aitken
    2. Tycho
    3. Copernicus
    4. Mare Tranquillitatis
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. South Pole-Aitken Far side. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Bombardment) · Wikipedia: Lunar craters

  3. Why do craters last?

    1. No erosion
    2. Ice
    3. Plants
    4. Magnetism
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. No erosion No atmosphere. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Largest) · Wikipedia: South Pole–Aitken basin

  4. When was the Late Heavy Bombardment?

    1. About 4.1 to 3.8 billion years ago
    2. Last century
    3. 100 million years ago
    4. 10,000 years ago
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 4.1 to 3.8 billion years ago Early. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Size) · Wikipedia: South Pole–Aitken basin

  5. About how wide is South Pole-Aitken?

    1. 2,500 km
    2. 25 km
    3. 250 m
    4. 25,000 km
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 2,500 km Huge. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Erosion) · Wikipedia: Lunar craters

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Lunar Topography." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-385, last updated Nov 22, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/lunar-topography/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/lunar-topography/ · Last updated

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