Impact crater
Impact Crater
An Impact Crater (pronunciation: /ˈɪmpækt ˈkreɪtər/) is a circular depression on the surface of a planet, moon, or other solid body in the solar system, formed by the hypervelocity impact of a smaller body.
Etymology
The term "Impact Crater" is derived from the Latin words 'impactus' meaning 'driven in' and 'crater' meaning 'bowl'. The term was first used in the context of geology in the 19th century.
Definition
An Impact Crater is typically characterized by its size, shape, and structure. The size of an impact crater is determined by the diameter of the impacting body and the velocity at which it strikes the surface. The shape of an impact crater can be circular or elliptical, depending on the angle of impact. The structure of an impact crater can include features such as a central peak, terraced walls, and an outer rim.
Related Terms
- Meteorite: A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and impact with the Earth's surface.
- Asteroid: An asteroid is a small rocky body orbiting the sun. Large numbers of these, ranging in size from nearly 600 miles (1,000 km) across (Ceres) to dust particles, are found (as the asteroid belt) especially between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
- Comet: A comet is an icy small Solar System body that, when passing close to the Sun, warms and begins to release gases, a process called outgassing. This produces a visible atmosphere or coma, and sometimes also a tail.
- Meteoroid: A meteoroid is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space. When a meteoroid, comet, or asteroid enters Earth's atmosphere at a speed typically in excess of 20 km/s (72,000 km/h; 45,000 mph), aerodynamic heating of that object produces a streak of light, both from the glowing object and the trail of glowing particles that it leaves in its wake.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Impact crater
- Wikipedia's article - Impact crater
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